Earth Friends are the future of positive human impact.

We Are Earth Friends

is a framework of 5 life-affirming learning modules in which young children build a foundation for understanding all life and all rhythms on our planet.

Educator Portal

Something is missing in education, especially in the formative years known as “early childhood.”

We call it Interconnected Awesomeness.

This is the magic of learning that we are all connected through the web of life. From trees to stingrays to mushrooms to you and to me and to the clothes you are wearing while you read this.

The We Are Earth Friends curriculum builds a foundation of understanding for all life on our planet through a nature-based, playful introduction to planetary rhythms, ecological relationships, food systems, and energy and production cycles. In the years to come, today’s children will be met with a complexity of natural and humanitarian challenges, and Earth Friends children will have a deep understanding of their relationships with other beings and their capabilities in stewarding our planet.

The youngest generation can rewrite the story of disconnection, distraction, and our diminishing natural world and become the future of positive human impact.

↓ the WE ARE EARTH FRIENDS curriculum↓

  • Module 1

    Children learn that Earth is our shared home and we need to take care of our Goldilocks planet because it sustains all life.

    balance

  • Module 2

    Children learn that we share Earth with all other living beings, and everyone deserves, water, food, safe shelter, and a place to play.

    reciprocity

  • Module 3

    Children learn that all living beings need food, what our food sources are, where our food waste goes, and each being’s role in the food web.

    nourishment

  • Module 4

    Children learn that Earth gives us energy from different elements and we use energy to grow, move, and make what we humans need.

    possibility

  • Module 5

    Children learn that our things are made from what Earth gives us, where our things go, and how what we create impacts all beings.

    ingenuity

curriculum details

  • Each module is made up of 5 20-minute lessons that include:

    • 1 curious question

    • 1-2 hands-on, discovery, creative, or movement activities

    • vocabulary word

    • reading time

    • 3-5 supplemental indoor and outdoor classroom activities

    • family engagement

  • Reading introduces children to new and different experiences.

    We Are Earth Friends comes with 10 books.

    • 5 photo books filled with real world photos and vocabulary words

    • 5 story books that will inspire imagination and deepen connections

    Each module connects to 1 photo book and 1 story book

  • We Are Earth Friends is currently* accessed digitally through our Educator Portal.

    With your user name and password you will find all lessons, professional development, and supplemental resources.

    *We are in currently exploring print curriculum.

  • We Are Earth Friends includes 5 hours of Professional Development to become an Earth Friends Educator.

    Once you have access to the Educator Portal, you will find 5 20-minute videos, 4 of which come with writing and reflection exercises. Once you have completed your PD, you can email hello@earthfriends, subject CERTIFICATION, and we will send you an Earth Friends Educator certificate. Yes, we trust that you have done the work!

    For those of you who would like in-person or live professional development, we have customized options that start at $100.

  • We Are Earth Friends is outdoor and indoor nature-based learning that:

    • follows developmentally appropriate practices (DAP)

    • integrates social emotional learning (SEL)

    • takes a universal design for learning (UDL) approach

    • aligns with NAEYC early childhood education standards (children ages 3-8)

    • follows NAAEE's "Guidelines for Excellence in Early Childhood Environmental Education."

  • We Are Earth Friends believes that learning can be intergenerational and that adults can be role models.

    • Each lesson includes family engagements to encourage families and children to explore their world from their home and through place-based activities.

    • Each module introduces a community event or opportunity to bridge the school community with the wider community by inviting local business owners, indigenous voices, and farmers to engage with the children.

    • Throughout the program, schools will find countless opportunities to develop and strengthen sustainability measures and outdoor learning experiences. Anything from composting to rain barrels to adding a “No idling” sign in the parking lot.

get the curriculum

and begin showing young children the world through the lenses of wonder, curiosity & love for all living beings

“I matter.”

Earth Friends children see themselves as belonging in a world where they are change makers and active participants in their communities.

Get the Curriculum
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