Curriculum

As winter settles in, Phoenix Park Kids Club comes alive with discovery and warmth. From tracking animal prints in the frosty ground to cozy indoor storytime from our growing library, we nurture self-reliance and explore the magic of seasonal changes. Children build empathy and celebrate kindness through nature-inspired activities, all while learning to embrace winter’s quiet rhythms.

January – Winter Wonders & Self-Reliance

• Nature Focus: Observing winter weather, learning about seasonal changes, tracking temperatures.

• Activities: Outdoor dress practice, basic animal tracking, creating a “winter box” with pinecones, rocks, and leaves.

• Life Skill: Practicing independent dressing for warmth and exploring textures in nature.

• Civic Focus: Community Helpers – Learning about the people who keep us safe in winter, such as firefighters and utility workers.

• Spiritual Focus: Reverence for Nature’s Cycles – Exploring how different cultures view the New Year, including Native American traditions of honoring winter’s quiet time.

February – Animal Allies & Kindness

• Nature Focus: Local wildlife – observing birds, insects, and small mammals.

• Activities: DIY bird feeders, learning animal sounds, creating “wildlife welcome” signs.

• Life Skill: Practicing empathy and kindness, discussing gentle ways to interact with animals.

• Civic Focus: Random Acts of Kindness – Discussing ways to brighten someone’s day and creating small kindness notes or treats to share.

• Spiritual Focus: Celebrating Love – Learning about Valentine’s Day and other celebrations of love, from friendship traditions to acts of kindness.

March – Garden Beginnings & Patience

• Nature Focus: Starting a small indoor garden, planting seeds, learning about growth.

• Activities: Planting herbs or flowers, decorating pots, starting a garden journal.

• Life Skill: Nurturing patience as children learn to tend to plants and observe daily changes.

• Civic Focus: Voting as a Family – Children “vote” on garden items, learning that each choice has meaning and impact.

• Spiritual Focus: Spring Festivals – Learning about spring festivals, such as Holi, Passover, and Ostara, that celebrate renewal and growth.

Spring bursts forth with adventure and growth, bringing life lessons in patience and problem-solving. We jump in puddles, plant seeds in our budding garden, and discover the joy of watching things grow. Exploring bugs and building resilience through nature, children learn to embrace curiosity and cooperation as they witness the beauty of renewal.

April – Spring Showers & Problem-Solving

• Nature Focus: Weather patterns, rain cycles, and the water table.

• Activities: Rainy-day explorations, puddle-jumping, measuring rainfall, water play.

• Life Skill: Encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving through rain gear prep and safe water play.

• Civic Focus: Earth Day Volunteerism – Participating in a simple cleanup activity around the park and learning the importance of caring for shared spaces.

• Spiritual Focus: Honoring Water – Exploring the significance of water in Native American and other cultures, focusing on the life-giving and sacred aspects of water.

May – Bugs & Building Resilience

• Nature Focus: Exploring insects and bugs in the backyard and nearby trails.

• Activities: Bug scavenger hunts, building bug hotels, painting rocks as insects.

• Life Skill: Teaching resilience by gently handling insects and understanding safe boundaries.

• Civic Focus: Neighbor Appreciation – Creating small tokens or art for neighbors to express gratitude and build community.

• Spiritual Focus: Respect for All Living Beings – Discussing Native American views of respecting animals, no matter their size, as vital parts of the ecosystem.

June – Trees & Trust

• Nature Focus: Identifying local trees and learning about their life cycles.

• Activities: Leaf rubbings, bark patterns, tree-climbing basics (if appropriate).

• Life Skill: Developing trust in the self through nature journaling and simple tree exploration.

• Civic Focus: Flag Day and Community Symbols – Introducing children to the significance of symbols, such as the flag and what it means to belong to a community.

• Spiritual Focus: Interconnectedness in Nature – Learning about the web of life and how every tree, animal, and person has an important role to play.

Summer brings sun-soaked exploration and new independence! We venture into the streams and trails of nearby Folsom Lake, practice water safety, and experience camping fun right here at Phoenix Park. From water games to “leave no trace” lessons, each day brims with laughter and outdoor learning, helping little ones grow confident and adventurous.

July – Water Wonders & Safety Awareness

• Nature Focus: Exploring nearby streams, Folsom Lake, and the concept of water conservation.

• Activities: Creating “boats” from leaves, wading safely in shallow water, water games.

• Life Skill: Emphasizing water safety and the importance of staying near adults.

• Civic Focus: Celebrating Independence – Learning simple age-appropriate ways to express and respect freedom.

• Spiritual Focus: Water in Different Cultures – Exploring the role of water in various religions and cultures, including Native American and Christian perspectives on its sacredness.

August – Camping Fun & Independence

• Nature Focus: Basics of camping and creating safe “camps” at Phoenix Park and beyond.

• Activities: Campfire songs, picnic lunches, setting up tents, “leave no trace” talks.

• Life Skill: Building independence and responsibility through simple setup and cleanup activities.9

• Civic Focus: Local History and Nature – Learning about local history and land stewardship, honoring the natural spaces we enjoy.

• Spiritual Focus: “Leave No Trace” Ethic – Focusing on respect and gratitude for nature, rooted in the “leave no trace” principle practiced by Native American cultures and Scouts.

September – Birds of the Bluff & Observation Skills

• Nature Focus: Local bird identification, migration patterns, and using binoculars.

• Activities: Bird-watching, creating binoculars, building birdhouses, bird-call practice.

• Life Skill: Sharpening observation skills and learning quiet listening.

• Civic Focus: Community Roles – Exploring how different birds, people, and animals all have roles that support the “community.”

• Spiritual Focus: Honoring Birds in Native Cultures – Exploring Native American stories and beliefs about birds as spiritual messengers.

Autumn’s golden glow is a time for gratitude, gathering, and new skills. We celebrate the harvest season, build outdoor forts, and explore the art of thankfulness through community giving. As the leaves change, we honor traditions and reflect on the wisdom of Native American heritage. It’s a season full of wonder and deeper connections to nature and each other.

October – Fall Harvest & Gratitude

• Nature Focus: Observing the harvest season and learning about local fruits and vegetables.

• Activities: Nature walks, collecting leaves, tasting seasonal fruits, gratitude circle.

• Life Skill: Fostering gratitude through daily “thankful moments” and appreciating abundance.

• Civic Focus: Harvest Festival – Hosting a mini “harvest fest” for parents and friends, fostering community sharing.

• Spiritual Focus: Autumn and Reflection – Introducing traditions such as Dia de los Muertos and Samhain, honoring ancestors and the turning of seasons.

November – Outdoor Skills & Cooperation

• Nature Focus: Basic survival skills like shelter-building and knot-tying.

• Activities: Building simple forts, practicing knots, teamwork challenges.

• Life Skill: Learning cooperation and teamwork by working together on projects.

• Civic Focus: Thankfulness and Giving – Collecting non-perishable items for a local food bank, experiencing giving as a community value.

• Spiritual Focus: Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Month – Exploring Native American customs and values, reflecting on gratitude and cultural respect.

December – Winter Warmth & Generosity

• Nature Focus: Preparing for winter, learning about hibernation and seasonal shifts.

• Activities: Crafting “hibernation homes” for stuffed animals, creating homemade gifts.

• Life Skill: Practicing generosity through gift-giving and sharing with others.

• Civic Focus: Volunteer Project – Creating blankets or care packages for a local shelter or elderly neighbors, building a tradition of caring.

• Spiritual Focus: Winter Celebrations Around the World – Learning about Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Native American winter solstice traditions, celebrating togetherness and light.