Early Childhood Programs

The Early Childhood Programs offered through the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes are designed for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners. A typical program is usually one hour in length, but times can be adjusted. Programs can be conducted at the Nature Center or brought to your school. Each program includes an introduction to the program theme, reading of a related age appropriate story, hands-on exploration of related nature items and outdoor discovery time, if applicable. All of our programs follow Early Learning Content Standards and are listed for each program.

Scheduling & Pricing

Call the Nature Center at (216) 321-5935, ext. 225 to make program reservations. You may call at any time of the year to book your class.

On-site programs cost $90 per class with a maximum of 18 students. Scholarships are available for those who qualify. For off-site pricing information or to register for a pre-school program, contact Justin Evans at (216) 321-5935, ext. 225 or evans@shakerlakes.org.

Ohio Pre-K Academic Content Standards & Benchmarks
Sci – Science
ELA – English Language Arts
Math – Mathematics
Soc – Social Studies

 

Seasonal Happenings
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Let us learn about the current season. We can discover and explore all the amazing things happening around us right now.
Sci – 1,2,3,5,6
ELA – 1,2,3,4,5,9,10
Math – 2,3,4,5
Soc – 1,3,7

Rabbit Hop
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Being prey to many predators is not easy, but there are ways to keep safe from being eaten. Learn about rabbits and how they survive in the
natural world.
Sci 1,2,3,5,6
ELA 1,2,3,4,5,9,10
Math 1,2,5
Soc 1,3,7

Night and Day
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Whether it is night or day there are animals to be found around the nature center. But why do they come out at different times? Do daytime animals ever see nighttime animals?
Sci 1,2,3,5,6
ELA 1,2,3,4,5,9,10
Math 2
Soc 1,3,7

Monarch Mania
Spring, Summer, Fall
Not only birds make the long journey we know as migration, but so do Monarch Butterflies. Learn about their life cycle, their perilous journey and what gives these butterflies their bright orange and black colors!
Sci 1,2,4,5,6
ELA 1,2,3,4,5,9,10
Math 2
Soc 1,3

Life of a Log
Spring, Summer, Fall
When a tree dies animals — big and small -— depend on the log that is left behind. It becomes home for many animals and returns nutrients to the soil through its decomposition.
Sci 1,2,3,4,5,6
ELA 1,2,3,4,5,9,10
Math 2,3
Soc 1,3

Muckity Mud
Spring, Summer, Fall
Spring is on its way and we all know that means a muddy mess from all of those refreshing spring showers. Bring those rain jackets and boots as we learn what makes mud and the unique properties of soil!
Sci 1,2,3,5,6
ELA 1,2,3,4,5,9,10
Math 2
Soc 1

Where is that Ladybug?
Spring, Summer, Early Fall
Red with black spots ladybug beetles have always been a favorite of many, but did you know they have a carnivorous appetite? What do they eat and what are the habits of a ladybug?
Sci 1,2,3,5,6
ELA 1,2,3,4,5,9,10
Math 1,2,3,4,5
Soc 1,3,7

Fall Leaf Bonanza
Fall
Red, orange, yellow, and brown all the leaves start falling down! Get ready to explore the outdoors for fall leaves, enjoy the colorful season of fall, and why the leaves change color.
Sci 1,2,3,5,6
ELA 1,2,3,4,5,9,10
Math 1,2,3,4,5
Soc 1,3,7

Around a Pumpkin
Fall (revised for Spring & Summer)
In the fall our large orange friend the pumpkin is picked and turned into a jack-o-lantern. But where do pumpkins come from and how do they grow? Learn this and more as we explore the world of plants!
Sci 1,2,3,4,5,6
Math 1,2,3,4,5
ELA 1,2,3,4,5,9,10
Soc 1,2,3,4,5,7

Bushy-tailed Adventures
Fall (can be revised for any season)
Ever wonder how a squirrel lives and how they prepare for winter? Shake those bushy tails and make an adventure of nutty proportions!
Sci 1,2,3,5,6
ELA 1,2,3,4,5,9,10
Math 1,2,3,4,5
Soc 1,3,7

Stay at Home Flyers
Fall, Winter
Many of our feathered friends fly away for winter. But some of them stay behind! Learn about birds and which of our flying friends are hanging out for winter.
Sci 1,2,3,5,6
ELA 1,2,3,4,5,9,10
Math 2,3,5
Soc 1,3,7

Strange Snow
Winter
Do you know how snow is made? Did you know every snowflake is different? Put on your winter coats and boots and join us to explore all things snow!
Sci 1,2,3,4,5,6
ELA 1,2,3,4,5,9,10
Math 1,2,3,4,5
Soc 1,2,3,7

Winter Investigations
Winter
Even in the dead of winter signs of life can be found all around as not all animals hibernate or migrate. Let’s put on those thinking caps, looking eyes and listening ears to look for signs of life in the winter.
Sci 1,2,3,5,6
ELA 1,2,3,4,5,9,10
Math 2,4,5
Soc 1,3

Earth is Our Home
Spring (can be revised for any season)
Our planet is beautiful and wonderful for plants, animals and humans alike! In order to keep Earth as our home we must do our part to help protect it. Let us learn some simple ways we can be protectors of our own planet!
Sci 1,2,3,4,5,6
ELA 1,2,3,4,5,9,10
Math 1,2,3,4,5
Soc 1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Froggy Time
Spring, Summer
Hopping around from lily pad to lily pad is not the only thing frogs can do. See how they complete their life cycle and what makes them great swimmers!
Sci 1,2,3,5,6
ELA 1,2,3,4,5,9,10
Math 1,2,3,4,5
Soc 1,3,7

Red-Backed Adventures
Spring, Summer
Did you know the only salamander found at the Nature Center is a red-backed salamander? Let’s learn about how these slimy amphibians live and see if we can find some!
Sci 1,2,3,5,6
ELA 1,2,3,4,5,9,10
Math 1,2,3,4,5
Soc 1,3,7

Let it Grow
Spring, Summer
Where do seeds come from and what makes them grow? With some soil, sun and water we’ll learn how to take care of them and help our plant friends grow!
Sci 1,2,3,4,5,6
Math 1,2,3,4,5
ELA 1,2,3,4,5,9,10
Soc 1,2,3,4,5,7