Lil Bebe Academy

09/12/2026

Try this if you’ve been trying to get your children outdoors!

09/05/2026

We are growing turmeric (ignore the misspell ) in the children’s garden. Earlier this spring we planted some sprouts then transplanted them outdoors.

09/05/2026

(Please Share) Early Childhood Educators this is for you! Join us in this immersive experience as you sit in nature and acquire skills to take back to your classroom. Three series of wisdom, knowledge and teachings. Register today!

Registration is closing on Sept 10th! Scholarships are still available! See link at bottom.
Join us for a transformative, three-part seasonal professional development journey specifically designed for early childhood educators in center-based and family child care settings.
Discover how to seamlessly weave nature into your daily practice by inviting the outdoors into your indoor environment and transition your play invitations to the natural world.
Attend the full journey to build deep connections, or join individual sessions to refresh your practice:
Autumn Session: Saturday, October 3
Winter Session: Saturday, January 23
Spring Session: Saturday, April 17
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
What Each Session Provides:
Research & Theory: The foundational benefits of outdoor play and sensory engagement.
Seasonal Play Invitations: Hands-on, practical ideas for natural loose parts and materials tailored to infants, toddlers, and young children.
Resources: Tangible tools, gear, books, materials and resource lists to implement immediately.
Reflection & Community: Dedicated space to share challenges, celebrate successes, and grow alongside a supportive community.
OI-IO Course Completion Certificate: Earn the full course certificate by attending all three sessions, participating in the Community of Practice (CoP), and submitting a tangible reflection after each session.
The Full Three-Season Course (Best Value!): $85 per session ($255 total) when you register for all 3 dates.
A La Carte Registration: $100 per session if purchasing individual dates.
Full Course Discount: $75 per person, per session for programs purchasing registration for 4 or more staff members for all 3 sessions.
Secure Your Spot: www.littleexplorers.fun
Location: Camp Greene Wood, Naperville, Il
Registration Deadline for fall session: Sept. 10
Scholarship form: https://bit.ly/4qwSzRD See less

09/04/2026

Remnants of play
Childhood is for exploration 🍃

09/03/2026

What an amazing week with lemons 🍋
- Day 1 they squeezed lemons
-Day 2 they made lemonade (I didn’t have white sugar)
- Day 3 they made lemon prints

08/31/2026

Sometimes, the children miss this remarkable experience.🦋
This butterfly emerged from its chrysalis over the weekend, but I was able to record it for them.
We raise butterflies every year, and while we cannot predict exactly when each transformation will happen, documentation allows us to bring the experience back to the children.
🐛
I love facilitating their observations and questions. What has become familiar to me becomes remarkable again through their inquiry.

I can’t wait to show them the recording on the projector!

08/30/2026

Gratitude 🍃
Building relationships with families goes beyond sharing what the children are doing or identifying developmental milestones.

It is also found in the small, thoughtful exchanges. When families and educators genuinely know and care for one another, appreciation is often expressed…

One of our families brought us a beautiful harvest from their garden—another reminder that family engagement is also about cultivating connection, trust, and community.
🍃

08/30/2026

What is play to you?
How do I play?

Sometimes, I sit quietly with a cup of coffee and admire the backyard we have created.

A home childcare backyard does not have to look like a school playground. We can designate spaces for the children to explore, create, and play while preserving spaces that bring us beauty, rest, and joy.

The children deserve a place to play—and so do we.

08/28/2026

We’ve been harvesting from the garden 🪴

08/28/2026

Helping you build nature into your childcare curriculum. Nature doesn't have to be an add-on. Come and see how you can fuse it into your everyday learning.

Scholarships available! See link at bottom.
Join us for a transformative, three-part seasonal professional development journey specifically designed for early childhood educators in center-based and family child care settings.
Discover how to seamlessly weave nature into your daily practice by inviting the outdoors into your indoor environment and transition your play invitations to the natural world.
Attend the full journey to build deep connections, or join individual sessions to refresh your practice:
Autumn Session: Saturday, October 3
Winter Session: Saturday, January 23
Spring Session: Saturday, April 17
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
What Each Session Provides:
Research & Theory: The foundational benefits of outdoor play and sensory engagement.
Seasonal Play Invitations: Hands-on, practical ideas for natural loose parts and materials tailored to infants, toddlers, and young children.
Resources: Tangible tools, gear, books, materials and resource lists to implement immediately.
Reflection & Community: Dedicated space to share challenges, celebrate successes, and grow alongside a supportive community.
OI-IO Course Completion Certificate: Earn the full course certificate by attending all three sessions, participating in the Community of Practice (CoP), and submitting a tangible reflection after each session.
The Full Three-Season Course (Best Value!): $85 per session ($255 total) when you register for all 3 dates.
A La Carte Registration: $100 per session if purchasing individual dates.
Full Course Discount: $75 per person, per session for programs purchasing registration for 4 or more staff members for all 3 sessions.
Secure Your Spot: www.littleexplorers.fun
Location: Camp Greene Wood, Naperville, Il
Registration Deadline for fall session: Sept. 10
Scholarship form: https://bit.ly/4qwSzRD