Professional Development Trainings
Led by April Zajko, M.Ed. 

For more information email: aprilzajko@gmail.com

Wonders of Worms ~ Spring is a wonderful time to get children digging in the soil and discovering our nearby nature. What a joy is it when a child discovers that first worm?! Something as simple as studying worms sparks children’s wonder and curiosity of nature.  Research validates that young children thrive with ample “hands on” learning opportunities. This two hour session will focus on equipping educators with ways to help extend the children’s questions and inquiries about worms, while also aligning to early learning standards! In our two hour session will co-create an a *rough draft* of an early childhood “Worm Unit” as a digital download, that you will be able to print and use with the children in your classroom! You will hear how experienced nature based educators have moved away from thematic units and into authentic and emergent teaching practices utilizing integrated curriculum design. 

Details ~ this two hour workshop is FREE! 

March 27, 2023 – 6-8pm EST 

Register at this LINK:

Growing Outdoor Classrooms ~  (3 college credits / undergraduate or graduate credit) This course is offered every spring and begins March 20, 2023. If you are interested in this course you can get on the waitlist by emailing April at aprilzajko@gmail.com   Read the syllabus at this LINK! 

Curriculum Development for Nature Based Early Childhood Educators (3 college credits / undergraduate or graduate credit) This course is offered each summer. For Summer 2023, this course will be offered as part of Castleton University’s Early Childhood Educators Institute, registration opens May 1st. Read the syllabus at this LINK! 

Nature Based Approaches in Early Childhood Education and Afterschool Programs~ Fall 2023, new course at the Community College of Vermont. Registration opens April 3, 2023  – www.ccv.edu  

Gardening with Kids Series – April 6, 13 & 20, 6-8 pm (6 hours/ $47)

Process Art Series – Summer 2023; (20 hours / $197)  Read more at this LINK , Registration will open April 1st.

Nature Based Curriculum Series – Fall 2023; (20 hours / $197) 

Wonders of Winter Series – late Fall 2023; (20 hours / $197) Read more at this LINK. Registration will open in late August.