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When Squirrels Lead the Way: Weaving Intention into Teachable Moments

A group of students looking at a plant in the forest

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Jason Surian

Educators are uniquely positioned to exercise leadership and agency from their classrooms. This includes the way they design lessons and activities—sometimes in the moment—to respond to children’s questions, background knowledge, and interests. In this practitioner reflection, Jason Surian shares how he built a learning day (and beyond!) around kindergartners’ enthusiasm about squirrels. His ability to modify lessons while still meeting goals offers readers an engaging example of how educators can exercise agency from their classrooms.

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Photograph: © Getty Images
Copyright © 2026 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. See permissions and reprints online at NAEYC.org/resources/permissions.

Audience: Faculty, Teacher

Age: Early Primary, Infant/Toddler, Kindergarten, Preschool

Topics: Child Development, Curriculum, Assessment, Classroom Management, Classroom Management, Other Topics, Educational Settings, YC

Jason Surian

Jason Surian, PhD, is an assistant professor of education at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. He has spent over 25 years in education as an early childhood teacher, school administrator, and college professor.