About This Program
Do you have an interest in nature and enjoy interacting with children and families? The Childhood Nature Studies program prepares you for working in a variety of family, childcare, early learning, school, and community settings, with a goal of supporting child development as well as more socially just and ecologically-sustainable communities.
Through cross-disciplinary coursework from environmental and outdoor education, psychology, health, social work, and education, you will be prepared for collaborating with professionals from across the spectrum of care, education, health, mental health, social service, and environmental sectors.
Program Highlights
- Study childhood through a socio-cultural lens, understanding children’s healthy development, and the potential for nature to support children’s learning, unfolding capabilities, and lifelong well-being
- Effectively engage in quality interactions with children and families and provide developmentally and culturally appropriate experiences for children that support their learning and development, as well as further family and community relationships
- Gain skills in designing and implementing nature-rich, place-based and play-based experiences, as well as effectively assessing and creating quality nature-based learning environments and programs
- Integrate theory and practice through immersion experiences, reflection, networking, and action research
- Study abroad in countries known for innovations in nature-based learning and development
Research & Experiential Learning
- Program faculty are actively engaged in research and practice, with opportunities for your involvement in their “Flourishing in Nature” research projects
- Professional networking within Minnesota Early Childhood Outdoors, the Natural Start Alliance (U.S.), the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada, and the Certified Forest School Practitioner Network
- We work closely with our local nature preschools, including the Preschool in the Park program on campus, as well as with the Duluth Nature Play Collaborative and its growing number of participating sites in the region
Potential Careers
- Preschool teacher or director at non-teacher licensure settings, such as nature preschools, child care and early learning centers, private schools, etc. (post-baccalaureate coursework available for those seeking early childhood teacher licensure)
- Early childhood or special education paraprofessional
- Parent or family educator
- Early childhood education consultant
- Social services
- Family child care provider
- Infant and toddler specialist
- Youth development specialist in community organizations and out-of- school programs
- Educator/playworker at children’s museums, science and natural history museums
Scholarships
Current students in CEHSP may be eligible for both merit-based and need-based scholarships. More than 100 scholarships are available each academic year.
Get Involved
- Outdoor and Environmental Education Club
- Serve at UMD (community volunteering)
- UMD EcoReps (environmental sustainability)
Requirements
Refer to the link below for more detailed information about the program, admission requirements, sample plans, and contact information.
Childhood Nature Studies B.A.Sc.