Preschool Programs

FREE VIRTUAL TRAINING FOR PRE-K EDUCATORS

For a limited time, we are offering this virtual training and accompanying WinterKids Preschool GOAL binder as a “pay what you can” kit. This means you can get it for free if you need it!

Sure, we know winter is over, but our Spring Forward! unit offers two full weeks of springtime activities. You’ll find plenty to keep your little ones moving AND learning with wind and rain art projects, stick math, planting seeds, mud play, worms, and more!

Register by April 30, and we will include a starter kit for an activity found in the Spring Forward! unit!

Pre K GOAL Training

JOIN THE WINTERKIDS PRESCHOOL CHALLENGE

An award-winning, evidence-based program that will help you and your students to MOVE, LEARN, and EXPLORE outdoors!

WINTERKIDS GUIDE TO ACTIVE OUTDOOR LEARNING (GOAL) + ONLINE TRAINING

PRE-K EDITION

Your resource for hands-on, winter-themed activities for indoors and out.

Designed by and for early childhood educators, the Preschool GOAL is easy to implement and provides eight weeks of active winter fun. Editions are available for Maine and New Hampshire, each aligned to state early learning standards.

Yesterday we collected some nature from our playground and made some ice catchers...the kids were so excited to see what they looked like this morning.
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Patti Henry
Day by Day Childcare, New Hampshire
The kids were so excited to go outside and therefore were more engaged in the lesson. It was also a great way for me to get a quick check in on the where the kids were with these skills.
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Kate Moore
I think the WinterKids Guide to Outdoor Active Learning binder is great!! There are so many things that can be done to help get kids moving, yet connect it back to many areas of education as well. ELC is an alternative school for students who just can't seem to work in a public school setting. We generally try to do activities that do get them outside and moving since the kids we work with tend to do better with hands on activities.
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Stephanie Tyler
Early Learning Center, New Hampshire
The WinterKids Guide to Outdoor Active Learning has brought so much to our school, not just in ways that keep the children physically active but also in ways to keep them engaged socially and emotionally. Many of the activities are geared to get the children working together and becoming a team, no winners, no losers...just kids having fun.
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Penni Theriault
We loved our WinterKids materials. The kids had so much fun using the animal track tracker. We spent many afternoons looking for new animal prints.
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Toby Watt
Wee Care Daycare, New Hampshire

THE WINTERKIDS PRESCHOOL CHALLENGE

Do you want incentives and prizes for getting outside during Maine’s best season? Join the WinterKids Preschool Challenge, an award-winning, evidence-based program that will help you and your students to move, learn and explore outdoors.

WHAT IS THE WINTERKIDS PRESCHOOL CHALLENGE?

  • Attend a regional training or join a WinterKids webinar
  • Facilitate 5 (or more) outdoor gross-motor activities from the Preschool GOAL
  • Complete a brief survey following each activity
  • Send photo and video testimonials of your kids engaging in healthy outdoor fun

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU? A LOT!

  • A free, innovative teaching and learning opportunity
  • A certificate of contact hours for training/webinar participation
  • The WinterKids Challenge Toolkit (includes the Preschool GOAL, a starter lesson kit, tips for success, and evaluation materials, WinterKids Challenge Poster, incentives)
  • Networking opportunities with other WinterKids Preschool Challenge Schools
  • Ongoing technical assistance from WinterKids staff
  • Online access to WinterKids Challenge materials
  • A fun wellness opportunity for you and your kids
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MOBILE, KID-CENTERED, TEACHER-APPROVED, RESULTS-DRIVEN, AND AWARD-WINNING

229,428

Students, Teachers, and Families Impacted in Maine & New Hampshire since 2010!

WinterKids is the only nonprofit in Maine dedicated exclusively to increasing outdoor physical activity in children and families during our longest, most sedentary season.  

The shorter, darker, and colder days of winter and the increasing allure of screen time make it all too easy for kids and families to “hibernate.”  At WinterKids, we make it our business to provide kids, parents, and teachers with the right option: to get outside, get active, and have fun in the winter – and year-round.

Outdoor kids are active kids. Active kids are healthy kids. Healthy kids are happy kids. Happy kids are “winter kids.”

SEASON WRAP UP

FY2021

With outside being the safest and best place to be, WinterKids has truly thrived during the pandemic! We were able to reach nearly 27,000 kids, teachers and families in Maine and New Hampshire with creative adaptations for safe, outdoor adventures. Check out our 2020/2021 Season Wrap Up Report!

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annual report

FY2020

We are so thankful for our WinterKids Family – sponsors, foundations, teams, friends, volunteers, board and staff – and most important, the KIDS we serve. 2020 was a fantastic year for our organization, reaching over 35,000 (!) kids, family members, and teachers with innovative, outdoor education programs.

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