Early Childhood Standards of Quality for ... - State of Michigan

ELE: EARLY LEARNING IN THE SOCIAL STUDIES6. Early Learning Expectation: Children increase their understandingof the relationship between people and their environment and beginto recognize the importance of taking care of the resources in theirenvironment.Children typically:1. Begin to identify what families need to thrive; e.g., food, shelter,clothing, love.2. Can participate in improving their environment; e.g., pick up litter;recycle; plant trees and flowers; conserve lights, water, and paper.Examples of Experiences and Strategies• Children spend time daily outside.• Adults talk through their decisions or thinking process about caring forthings.• Songs, games, outdoor experiences, art and music celebrate the naturalenvironment.• Adults model respect for living things.• School activities connect to community activities when appropriate, tostrengthen a ‘sense of place’ for children.Questions for Reflection1. How do teachers model an environmentally conscious way of life?2. What do children do to experience their outdoor living environment; e.g.,grow a garden, take a hike, watch the clouds, crawl in the grass?3. How are parents informed about the importance of connecting to thenatural environment?4. Does the outdoor learning environment allow for natural space, quietplaces, safe but interesting spaces to explore?Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Prekindergarten 133