December in the Early Childhood Program: Learning From a Resting Garden
December invites a gentle shift in the rhythm of early childhood classrooms. The air becomes cooler, the daylight fades earlier, and many outdoor gardens begin their winter rest. Yet even as the soil quiets, children’s natural curiosity remains wide awake. Farm to Early Care and Education (Farm to ECE) continues during the winter months, it simply takes on a new, more reflective form.
Harvesting Thankfulness in the Classroom Garden
In our Farm-to-ECE work, we often focus on planting and harvesting, but this month I’d like to pause and celebrate thankfulness in the garden. Even with our youngest learners, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, the lesson of gratitude can be taught through simple experiences: touching soil, watering a plant, or feeding a worm to the compost pile.
The Farmers Market: A Family Field Trip Full of Lessons
Few summer activities create as many memories as a family trip to the farmers market. September is the season of abundance, and markets are brimming with peaches, melons, peppers, okra, freshly baked breads, and jars of local honey. For children, a visit to the farmers market is an adventure filled with colors, smells, and friendly faces.
Growing Connections with Local Farmers in Alabama
In Alabama, we’re blessed with rich farmland, hardworking growers, and a strong sense of community. Connecting early learners with this agricultural heritage through Farm to Early Care and Education (Farm to ECE) programs not only promotes healthy eating, it plants the seeds of curiosity, empathy, and environmental awareness.
July Blog: Summer Harvest Fun in the Childcare Classroom
Summer is a time of growth and abundance, and even if you can’t visit a farm or market, you can bring the harvest experience into the childcare classroom!
July Blog: Exploring the Farmers Market with Early Learners
July is the perfect time to bring little ones to the farmer’s market! The colorful booths are overflowing with fresh summer fruits and vegetables, and there’s no better place for early learners to connect with where their food comes from.
🌿June Blog: Things to Do with Early Learners at the Farmers Market
June is the perfect month to take early learners on a trip to the farmers market! If you’re looking for hands-on activities to engage young children, here are a few ideas to make your market visit meaningful and fun.
🍓June Blog: Things To Do with Early Learners in the Classroom
If you can’t take your early learners out to the farm or market, why not bring the farm experience into the classroom? Here are some great ways to introduce farm-to-table lessons this June.
Exploring Winter Farming with Young Learners in Alabama: A Guide for Early Childhood Educators
As the temperatures drop and winter settles in, farming may seem like something that only happens in warmer months. But in Alabama, winter farming is just as important as any other season, with farmers growing cold-hardy crops and caring for animals year-round. For early childhood educators, this time of year presents a wonderful opportunity to introduce young children to the world of winter farming and help them understand where their food comes from, even when it’s cold outside.
Building Relationships at the Farmers Market: More Than Just Shopping
A trip to the farmers market is more than just a chance to pick up fresh, local produce—it’s an opportunity to build connections with the people who work hard to grow the food we enjoy. Meeting farmers face-to-face can transform a simple shopping trip into a meaningful experience that benefits everyone involved.
