All About Nature: A Lesson Plan for Preschoolers

Nature is all around us, so it's a perfect thing to study inside the preschool classroom. Whether you have a day, a week, or longer, these nature lesson plans for preschoolers will help them learn about the natural world around them in simple and fun ways. Through the use of books, songs, crafts, and coloring pages, this preschool nature unit will make learning fun for young children as they discover the wonders just outside the door. Couple these activities with a nature walk or hike, either around your school or at a local park, beach, or nature preserve to make this a truly interactive nature lesson for preschoolers they'll really enjoy.

Books
These books about nature for preschoolers all have simple stories and vibrant, beautiful illustrations that will captivate young children as they learn about aspects of nature. They're a great way to explain the life cycles going on right outside the door, and can spark ongoing lessons if you want to use them as a springboard to more complex ideas about the natural world.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar
by: Eric Carle
This simple, yet beautifully-illustrated book has been a favorite of preschoolers for over 40 years. It tells the life cycle of a caterpillar from egg to butterfly, with a mini counting lesson in between. My kids are on their third copy of this classic, as it gets read to much it starts to fall apart.

The Apple Pie Tree
by: Zoe Hall
Follow the life cycle of an apple tree from bare branches in winter to buds to fully-grown apples. Two young sisters narrate this story about the apple tree that grows in their backyard, and the book concludes with them using the fresh apples to bake an apple pie. An explanation of pollination and an apple pie recipe are included in the back of this beautiful book.

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf
by: Lois Ehlert
This book is perfect for introducing preschoolers to the themes of trees and autumn. In this story, we follow the life of a sugar maple tree, from seeds to seedling to tree. In addition to learning about how the tree grows, kids will be introduced to several bird species and gardening tools as well. A great book for teaching about one of the most recognizable things in nature-trees.

What Lives in a Shell?
by: Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
This book introduces preschoolers to the concept that shells are houses for certain types of animals. Pictures of various types of shells are shown, as well as the creatures who live inside of them. While this book gets a little more technical, it's the perfect introduction to some basic nature science concepts for young children.

Songs
Using songs in a nature unit for preschoolers is a great way to make learning fun and help them remember the basic elements of nature like the sun and bugs. Preschoolers will enjoy these songs and fingerplays as they learn more about the natural world.

The Itsy, Bitsy Spider
This is a fun nature song for preschoolers with finger play that makes what can be a scary bug inviting instead. Using a spider puppet would also liven up this song.

You Are My Sunshine
This sweet song is about love and friendship, but the sun is the star, making it a fun addition to any preschool nature lesson.

For even more songs to fit the focus of your preschool nature lesson plan, check out this list of Nature Songs for Children from kiddles.com.

Crafts
Nature crafts are a great way to incorporate what you're learning in the classroom with a take-home project. These crafts use items that the children find on a nature walk or hike, integrating their outdoors experience with a simple art lesson.

Leaf Murals
Go on a nature hike and collect colorful leaves together. If it's fall, see how many different colors you can find; in spring, look for different shades of green and interesting shapes. Give each child 2 sheets of clear contact paper. Peel the backing off of the first sheet and arrange the leaves on it, making sure to stay inside the edges. When they're all placed on the sheet, pull the backing off of the second sheet and place it on top. If you wish, you can cut out the edges to contour the mural, or just leave it a rectangle. Punch a hole in the top, thread a ribbon through, and tie a loop so that you can hang it in the window.
Tip: This craft can also work with pressed flowers.

Nature Picture Frames
Go on a nature hike and collect twigs, small sticks and branches, and even small items like acorns. Take a plain, unfinished wooden or plastic picture frame and glue the items to the frame using hot glue or crazy glue. Cover the frame so that it looks like it's made of sticks and other natural adornments. If you are able, take a picture of each child while on the nature hike, get them developed, and put the picture inside for a lovely keepsake of the day.
Tip: This craft can also work with shells if you live near a beach.

Coloring Pages & Printables

Preschoolers love to color and do simple activities; the following links all have free nature coloring pages and printables for preschoolers that you can print out and incorporate into your lessons.

123Coloring.com
Includes links to color all aspects of nature, from Autumn and trees to fruits & vegetables and the sea.

FreeColoringPageFun.com
Enjoy over 70 free coloring pages about plants, flowers, trees, water, and more.

ColoringPlanet.com
Color pictures about the sun, flowers, leaves, trees, seasons, and camping.

ColorMountain.com
Use these nature coloring pages for preschoolers to color pictures about seasons, flowers, leaves, trees, and rainbows.

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