Extra-curricular
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 Tiny Tigers™ 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 Tiny Tigers™ year-round.
Music Lessons
For more than 30 years, Dr. Wendy Sims, a faculty member in the School of Music at Mizzou, has visited the CDL each week to introduce children to the joys of music. Through engaging lessons in rhythm, tempo, and pitch, she provides musical mentorship to both Tiny Tigers™ and undergraduate students, drawing on her expertise in music education.
Cooking & Taste Testing
Throughout the school year, Tiny Tigers™ 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 our Tiny Tigers™ about the fruits and vegetables grown in the Children’s Garden. They use this produce to create delicious culinary delights and include Tiny Tigers™ in the cooking process. Teachers aid Tiny Tigers™ 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
Thanks to the central location of the CDL, Tiny Tigers™ engage in walking field trips at least once a month. From visits to Peace Park to Shakespeare's Pizza, Tiny Tigers™ 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. Free child care is provided during Play and Learn nights at the CDL.
Gym Bus
Available for an additional fee, Gymnastics Express visits the CDL weekly to teach children the fundamentals of gymnastics and eight other sports. Tiny Tigers™ ages 18 months and older practice tumbling, climbing, and other essential gross motor skills designed to build coordination and confidence.
In addition to weekly lessons, Tiny Tigers™ are eligible to participate in twice-yearly performances where they can showcase the skills they have learned throughout the year.
Where nature meets discovery
OUR OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
This space was thoughtfully designed using research-based practices in early childhood education to support meaningful learning in natural, outdoor environments. The classroom provides 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.
