Programs
Young children delight in meeting Julie Allen and Nature’s Critters and getting a chance to touch her animal friends. Some children learn for the first time that animals are not scary. Julie believes that by exposing children at a young age to these gentle creatures they will learn the value of all living things and not develop irrational fears. Hopefully, they can share this respect with their families and others throughout their lives. Most importantly...it is a fun memorable event for even the youngest preschooler!
Due to the special needs of younger children, Julie prefers to limit class size to no more than 30 children and programs lasting about 45 minutes. Each child will have the opportunity to touch the animals with a 'gentle' touch being emphasized. Julie helps children build their self-esteem by overcoming their fears and celebrating the pride of accomplishment. Programs are age appropriate and can be designed to suit individual needs.
"The Gentle Touch" Ages 18 months to 2 years
This brief introduction to the animal kingdom is designed for toddlers. By touching a variety of different textures (soft, hard, slimy, scaly, feathery, pokey) children learn the value of a gentle touch and meet some new friends. This is a short program lasting 15 minutes.
"Hop, Slither and Waddle" Ages 3 to 5
This program is designed for young children. Preschoolers will look at the different ways animals move...some can walk on four legs, six legs, eight legs or no legs at all! Some animals hop, some slither, some waddle and some fly.
"Hidden In Plain Sight" All Ages
Now you see them, now you don't. Colors and patterns describe camouflage in this program. A variety of different animals (amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and bugs) will visit the classroom to delight the youngsters.
"What's For Lunch?" All Ages
How do animals use their 5 senses to find food? Kids will meet decomposers, herbivores, insectivores, carnivores and omnivores in this fun program on what animals eat. We will also look at animals which are able to provide for themselves at birth and those that rely on their mothers.
"Radical Reptiles" All Ages
How are reptiles different from us? Kids discover that we have a lot in common with our scaly friends when live reptiles (snakes, lizards and turtles) visit the classroom and dispel misconceptions kids have about these gentle animals. Touching and holding Julie's reptiles create a bond of trust between child and critter.
"Where The Wild Critters Are" All Ages
The difference between wild animals and pets are explained in this program which highlights a variety of different habitats where wild animals live. Kids meet animals from wetlands, deserts, mountains, woodlands, tropical rainforests and grasslands.
"Amazing Animals" All Ages
This program introduces the "super-heroes" of the animal kingdom. Kids meet animals that have amazing adaptations-fur, quills, feathers and scales and delight in touching and learning about them.
"Nocturnal Critters" All Ages
While we are sleeping, some animals are wide-awake and, using their 5 senses, they manage to find everything they need in the dark. Kids will meet some amazing nocturnal animals and learn about their unique adaptations.
"Who's My Mom?" All Ages
Animal families are different from ours. Some critters never know their mothers while others depend on them for survival. Kids meet a variety of different types of animals ranging from bugs to mammals.
"To keep a child's sense of wonder, one must share with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world." -Rachel Carson
Customer Testimonials:
Thank you for a wonderful critter show! Your enthusiasm is outstanding; it's as if you are meeting each animal for the first time!! I know we'll have you back.
- Susie (ECFE teacher)
I just wanted to thank you very much for coming to our center. I heard many positive comments from my coworkers and the children talked all afternoon about what they saw and all the things you told them! We would love to have you back in the future. Good luck and continued success to you - you really are doing great work with children!
- Jody (ECFE teacher)
It was again a pleasure to have you here with us. You do much to alleviate children's fears (staff members too) concerning these beautiful creatures, as well as educating them. Your presentations are age appropriate and memorable. Thank you for a wonderful time! Hope to see you next year...
- Dorothy
(Director of Preschool and Kindergarten)
We just wanted to let you know how pleased all the teachers and children were with your presentation at our Center last week.
Many of the teachers commented on how well you presented your information about the animals and made it easy to understand for all the various age groups. The also appreciated how well you emphasized environmental concerns, responsible pet ownership, and how inappropriate fears of animals are generated. You were able to make these points in a manner the children could understand and yet you didn't lecture them.
The hands-on program was wonderful for the children. Their interest was captured and they really listened to you tell them all about the animals. Now every time we go to the Treehouse room the children ask ... "will the lady with the animals be there?"
We've used several new resources throughout this past school year for our monthly presentations. I have asked the teachers to provide feedback to me concerning how well they would rate the program and whether or not we should keep the resource on our list for future presentations. I received all positive feedback about your program so you'll definitely remain on our list. Thanks again. We hope you'll continue doing all the good work you do.
- Marilyn
(Director of Family Child Dev. Center)
Thank you so much! You and the critters were awesome! You outdid my expectations!
- Jenniffer (daycare provider)
Thank you so much for your wonderful presentation! I heard from several teachers (and children) how much they enjoyed it, and how informative and entertaining you (and your critters) were. I certainly appreciated it (as did they) and look forward to asking you again.
- Kathy
(Director of Youth Education)
Thank you so much for the wonderful reptile presentation you gave my preschoolers last month. Please keep up your good work. Have a great year and I hope you'll come back next spring.
- Laura (preschool teacher)
