A world of stewards
for all living
things
Welcome to Earth Friends.
a first of its kind environmental education program for early childhood
The youngest generation can rewrite the story of disconnection, distraction, and our diminishing natural world, yet environmental awareness remains largely absent from early childhood schools, centers, and communities.
Imagine the possibilities if adults created an environment where young children grow to love the world around them and gave them the opportunity to make the connections that convenience and culture have stolen from us?
Earth Friends has created the first integrated framework for teaching environmental education to young children. Through our organization we offer educator trainings, lessons and activities, community, resources, and support.
“Earth Friends has enlivened the classrooms of The Peppermint Tree with curiosity, wonder, and activities that allow the children to discover their connection to our fascinating planet Earth.”
The Earth Friends Program provides environmental education for children as young as 3 and as old as 8.
play ◦ movement ◦ repetition ◦ curious questions ◦ time outside ◦ hands-on activities ◦ creativity ◦ music ◦ story ◦ visuals ◦ vocabulary ◦ social emotional learning ◦ accessibility ◦ equity ◦ modeling behaviors ◦ family engagement ◦ community support ◦ sustainable practices
integrated across all subjects and areas of learning
The Earth Friends Program aligns with current standards & follows best practices in early childhood education.
The Earth Friends Program aligns with ECE standards as set by NAEYC for children ages 3-8 and NJ K-12 Climate Change Education Standards. The program follows the NAAEE's "Guidelines for Excellence in Early Childhood Environmental Education." It has been reviewed by experts in ECE and piloted for two years.
The Earth Friends Program:
takes a universal design learning (UDL) approach
follows developmentally appropriate practice (DAP)
implements social emotional learning (SEL)
The Earth Friends lessons
have shown the children how important and interconnected the work they are doing is—and when they pick and then eat the harvests from our garden, they reap the tangible benefits.
the lessons
a 30-week program that integrates into current curricula and routines through interactions and activities that are within the context of a young child’s impact on the world around them (school, home, neighborhood) and within their realm of comprehension.
the training
Earth Friends Educators are adults who spark imagination and encourage curiosity. Earth Friends Educators lead with love and nurture possibility to instill confidence in our youngest generation. Take the training and becoming one today.
the donations
Your donation to Earth Friends, a 501(3)(c) nonprofit, contributes to our vision of moving our planet and its people in every direction of good for all beings. Our mission is to empower young children by providing a foundation of education, love, and understanding for our planet and everything it provides us. Every gift supports us in carrying out our values and giving both the children and educators the tools, support, resources, and opportunities they need.