Extracurricular
The CDL Experience
EXTRACURRICULARS
Gardening, Gymnastics, and more! Children enrolled with the CDL have the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of learning experiences outside of the classroom. With partners across campus, CDL prides itself on the diverse learning opportunities available to young learners. Music lessons and frequent visits from subject matter experts are a stapple part of each learning week.
Gardening
The MU Children’s Learning Garden was established in spring 2014 through the collaboration of multiple departments and the generous support of Robert and Marlese Gourley. The garden serves as an outdoor classroom where children learn how food grows, the care required to sustain a garden, and explore fresh fruits and vegetables. It supports hands-on learning, exploration, and the development of academic skills. The garden also teaches children the value of giving by donating harvests to local food pantries, helping build prosocial attitudes and behaviors. Classrooms use the garden in many ways, including weekly visits, long-term projects, and family events, and families are welcome to enjoy the garden with their children year-round.
Music Lessons
For the past 30 years, Dr. Wendy Sims has visited the CDL weekly to expose children to the joys of music. Teaching children the fundamentals of rhythm, tempo, and pitch, Dr. Sims provides musical mentorship to both the children and undergraduates students of the CDL.
Cooking & Taste Testing
Throughout the school year, children will be given the opportunity to learn a variety of fundamental cooking skills right in their classroom. The Heart of Missouri Gardeners and Sustain Mizzou visit our classrooms to teach children about the fruits and vegetables grown in the Children’s Garden. They use this produce to create delicious culinary delights and include children in the cooking process. Teachers aid children in the harvesting and preparation of these foods to create delicious meals and treats. This sparks children’s love of healthy and sustainable eating practices.
More Options
Walking Field Trips
Thank to the central location of the CDL, children engage in walking field trips at least once a month. From visits to Peace Park to Shakespeare's Pizza, children explore campus and the downtown Columbia area to expand learning beyond the classroom. The CDL partners with museums and labs across campus to ensure children have the opportunity engage in hands on learning and exploration of the world around them.
Parenting Classes
Play and Learn nights are an opportunity for parents to gain the skills they need to be the best version of themselves. Once a quarter, the CDL brings in a subject matter expert to offer trainings to caregivers in a variety of topics including Conscious Discipline, Healthy Eating, and Sleep hygiene. These free 1-2 hour courses are designed to help parents learn best-practice strategies to meet the needs of young children.
Gym Bus (additional fee)
Weekly, Gymnastics Express visits the CDL to teach children the fundamentals of gymnastics and 8 other sports. Children ages 18 months and older practice tumbling, climbing, and other essential gross motor skills designed to build children’s coordination and confidence. In addition to weekly lessons, children are eligible to participate in bi-annual performances where they can showcase the different skills they have learned throughout the year.
Where nature meets discovery
OUR OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
This space was thoughtfully designed to provide distinct learning areas aligned with the seven Missouri Early Learning Standards—approaches to learning, social-emotional development, language and literacy, mathematics, science, physical development, and expressive arts. Children have opportunities to experience outdoor meals, lessons, and art activities within this engaging environment.
