Small Wonders
Activities and Early Childhood Learning Standards

A variety of organizations, including the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), as well as individual states, have developed standards that are intended to guide early childhood education. Small Wonders, in creating nature-based units that incorporate multidisciplinary education, and by structuring each unit to have at least one activity in each of the following areas:

• uses the whole body

• encourages group cooperation

• encourages independent exploration

• is child directed

• is open-ended

• involves experimentation/inquiry science

• uses the imagination/role playing

• addresses many of the standards

The following is a list of domains commonly found in standards documents. Underneath each domain is a list of the types of standards that various Small Wonders activities address. The skills you address in your program will depend on the standards document you are referencing, the activities that you choose, as well as the ages of the children in your care.

Science and Inquiry: Investigating the Environment
A variety of Small Wonders activities encourage children to:

• use the five senses to explore and observe
• ask questions about the natural world
• explore and manipulate natural materials
• use simple scientific tools (for example a balance scale or magnifying lens) in their explorations
• predict and or explore answers to questions posed
• collect, describe and record information
• engage in conversations about plants, animals, and other natural phenomena

Scientific Concepts and Principles:
A variety of Small Wonders activities support children as they learn about:

• changes in their environment (day, night, seasonal change, etc.)
• the basic needs of life
• cycles
• the properties of non-living materials (rock, soil, water)
• the structure and property of matter (floating and sinking, dissolving, and melting)

A variety of Small Wonders activities provide children opportunities to:

• discuss scientific concepts

Early Literacy Development:
A variety of Small Wonders activities provide children opportunities to:

• record information using a variety of means
• create stories
• participate in read-alouds and book discussions
• create links between books to other curriculum areas

Language Development:
A variety of Small Wonders activities encourage children to:

• compare and contrast objects with similarities and differences
• describe objects in terms of their properties
• independently provide explanations of phenomena
• develop vocabulary through conversations, indoor and outdoor experiences, and read-alouds.
• discuss their discoveries, reactions, and thoughts

Mathematics:
A variety of Small Wonders activities encourage children to:

• sort, compare, and classify objects
• create displays of data (graphs, pictures, etc.)
• identify shapes
• experiment with a variety of tools to make measurements

Understanding Ourselves, Our Communities, and Our World A variety of Small Wonders activities provide children opportunities to:

• explore their local environment

Physical Development and Skills A variety of Small Wonders activities support children as they work to develop:

• fine motor skills
• gross motor skills

Visual and Creative Arts
A variety of Small Wonders activities encourage children to:

• explore a different art tools and materials
• engage in creative movement/dramatic play
• use and/or create a variety of props and materials in dramatic situations

Social/Developmental
A variety of Small Wonders activities provide children opportunities to:

• engage in activities that involve group cooperation
• engage in activities that are self-directed
• practice following directions
  

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