Nature Walks for Early Childhood

 

Spending time outdoors has many positive benefits for children. Nature walks are a wonderful way to introduce children to the outdoors. They provide a wonderful avenue for children to exploration, and observation nature and the outdoors. Below are several themed nature walks for young children.

Shape Walk

What you need:

• Paper cut into various shapes (square, triangle, circle, star, etc…)
• Yarn
• Hole punch

Make each child, or have them help make, a shape necklace by cutting various shapes out of paper. Hole-punch the top of each and string onto a necklace made out of yarn. Take a walk outside to look for the shapes on their necklaces. Take a turn with each shape. When one is spotted say “I spy something shaped like____” and have the children try to find it on their own. When you return to the classroom go through each shape and ask children what they saw that was that shape.

Color Walk

What you need:

• Box of crayons

Take a walk outside with a box of crayons (or several crayons of each color for each child). Find objects that match the crayons.

Listening Walk

What you need:

• Paper plates
• Crayons or pencils

Take children on a walk to a grassy location where everyone can sit comfortably. Give each child a paper plate and a crayon. Instruct children to draw a dot in the middle of the paper plate to represent themselves. Everyone will then sit quietly and listen. Each time they hear a sound they mark it on their plate where it sounds like it is in relation to themselves. For example, if they hear a truck behind them they would draw a dot behind them on their plate. There are many variations you can do with this activity, i.e. children can draw a picture of what they hear where they hear it, they can draw themselves in the center, or use a different color crayon for each different sound etc…Base the activity on the ability and age of the students.

Insect Walk

What you need:

• Magnifying glasses
• Insect jar

Take children to a grassy or natural area in your outdoor classroom, school yard or close to school. Encourage children to get down on their hands and knees or crouch down to look for insects. Insects are usually found on or near plants. Observe them with magnifying glasses and/or in an insect jar. Discuss what you see and observe. Return insects to where you found them when you are done observing them.

For these and other great ideas for getting kids outdoors check out Growing up WILD and Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood.

Book List
Arnosky, J. 1979. Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs. Penguin Group (USA).
Arnosky, J. 1993. Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. and L. Evert. 2001. More Fun with Nature. Northword Press.
Capogna, V.V. 1999. Did You Ever Wonder about Things You Find in Your Backyard? Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Cole, H. 1998. I Took A Walk. HarperCollins Publishers.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Hines, A. G. 1994. What Joe Saw. HarperCollins Publishers.
Kalman, B. 1993. The Colors of Nature. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Morrison, G. 2004. Nature in the Neighborhood. Walter Lorraine Books/Houghton Mifflin Books.
Rotner, S. and K. Kreisler. 1992. Nature Spy. Atheneum.
Ziefert, H., and S. Bonners. 1986. Sarah's Questions. HarperCollins Publishers.
  

Back to School with Nature
It is that time of year again – back to school time! As children are picking out new backpacks and sneakers teachers are preparing themselves and their classrooms for another year filled with growing and learning.

This year, as you are preparing your classroom for the new school year, try to incorporate nature into the overall design and layout of your room. There are many ways that you can create a nature-themed classroom.

Classroom Design
Choose a nature-theme for your classroom and incorporate in throughout. Your theme can change as the seasons change. Or your theme can simply be “nature” and incorporate nature in various forms throughout your classroom. Use it for bulletin boards, newsletters home, nametags for students, and cubby spaces. Base centers on nature, encourage students to share stories, objects and/or pictures based on nature. Display their contributions in your classroom.

Fill your classroom with living things such as plants, fish tanks, ant farms, worm farms etc… Set up bird feeders outside your classroom windows for children to observe daily. Plant seeds (bean, sunflowers or other easily grown plants) together as a class and watch them grow.

Centers
As you prepare centers for the new school year set up a center or table for nature objects. This can be a center that can change as the season’s change. At the beginning of the school year you can have objects such as flowers, and leaves. As the year progresses into autumn you could have pumpkins, apples, fall leaves, etc… Encourage children to bring in natural objects that they find as well, such bird nests that have fallen from trees, cool looking rocks or sticks that they find. Allow children to look at, touch, smell, etc…the objects.

Nature objects are great for sensory tables as well. Leaves crunch, moss is soft, rabbit fur is fluffy. Check with your local County Conservation Board for various natural items that they may be able to loan you.

Outside Play
Plan outside time for students into your day every day as weather allows. Think of your outside play area as an extension of your classroom. Have a place for children to play with dirt, sand, sticks and other natural objects. If you do not have an “outdoor classroom” you can still incorporate nature into your outdoor play area. Sandboxes can be filled with sand, dirt, or nature objects (or even mud!). Logs can be brought in for children to climb on, sit on, build a fort beside, or even to peel the bark off to look for insects.

You can plant flowers, seeds, even small trees in pots and create your own “natural” setting. Put our bird feeders for children to watch birds eat. Provide children with binoculars, magnifying glasses and other “explorer gear” during outside time. Remember that children are fascinated by even the smallest insect they find!

County Conservation Boards
As you are preparing your school year remember what a wonderful resource you have in your local County Conservation Board. CCB Naturalists are usually more than happy to come into your classroom and present programs on various subjects. They often also have access to wildlife that have been injured, rehabilitated and are used for education purposes, such as snakes, salamanders, and owls. They can also bring in animals furs, owl pellets, animal bones, and many other nature and wildlife items.

 

Summer Vacation’s Last Stand

Another summer vacation is coming to a close; soon Iowa’s school children will be trading in swimsuits and flip-flops for backpacks and new sneakers. Make the most of the last few weeks of summer vacation by getting outside with your family!

Things to do to get outside:

• Hiking
• Fishing
• Take a picnic to a local park
• Stargazing in your backyard
• Camping
• Explore your local creek
• Bird watching on a bike trail

Take a Closer Look at Hiking with Children:

Make it fun!

• Bring a magnifying glass to examine interesting “finds” closely.
• Bring a notebook and pencil to record what you find and your experiences.Make nature bracelets - wrap clear packing tape (sticky side out) around everyone’s wrists. Stick cool things you find to them as you walk (leaves, flower petals, etc).
• Create a scavenger hunt so your hike has a mission.
• Take turns being the “leader”.
• Bring along nature guides to look up things you find (birds, leaves, etc) and/or download a nature app on your phone.
• Take a “water hike” down a shallow stream, or take a “night hike” after dark – kids will love the unusual aspect of it!
• Bring a camera and record your trip!

Preparation

• Wear sturdy shoes and comfortable cotton socks.
• Wear layers.
• Bring a backpack with:

            o   First aid kit
            o   Water
            o  Snacks
            o  Bug spray & sun block
            o  Compass and flashlight

Considerations

• Consider elevation – a level elevation will be easier for younger children to hike.
• Distance – a child should be able to hike ½ mile per year of age. For example, a 3 year old should be able to hike 1.5 miles. Keep in mind that young children will walk at a slower pace so plan accordingly.
• Loop trails are more interesting than walking a trail and turning around and walking back.
• Have a destination in mind (a pond or other point of interest along the way).
• Keep it simple – check your local park or city for bike trails and walking trails.

Hit the Trail: Ideas for Family Hiking

http://www.parents.com/fun/activities/outdoor/hit-the-trail/#page=1

Hiking Book list

Arnosky, J. 1998. Animal Tracker. Random House Value Publishing, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Bird Watcher. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Bug Hunter. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 1993. Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. and L. Evert. 2001. More Fun with Nature. Northword Press.
Cole, H. 1998. I Took A Walk. HarperCollins Publishers.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Griffin, S. A. and E. M. Griffin. Hiking for Kids: A Family Hiking Guide. T&N Children's Publishing.
Hines, A. G. 1994. What Joe Saw. HarperCollins Publishers.
Quattlebaum, M. and L. J. Bryant. 2013. Jo MacDonald Hiked in the Woods. Dawn Publications.
Radlauer, R. S. and E. A. McCully. 2007. Molly Goes Hiking. Aladdin.
Ross, M.E. 1993. World of Small: Nature Explorations with a Hand Lens. Yosemite Association.
Rotner, S. and K. Kreisler. 1992. Nature Spy. Atheneum.
Woolf, C. M. 2008. My First Hike. Dawn Publications.

 

 

Let's Explore Water!
Water is everywhere. It surrounds us in the environment – flowing in oceans, lakes, and streams and falling from the sky in rain, snow and hail. Water is essential for life on Earth and makes up approximately 60% of our own bodies.

Children have experiences with water daily: they bathe in it, drink it, play with it, see it as rain and snow, and observe rivers and ponds. Children are naturally drawn to water and love to play in it – pools, sprinklers, water tables, rain puddles, you name it and kids will play in it!

Set up an outdoor water center. Use a water table if you have one available. Other containers that hold water can work as well. While children are playing and experimenting with “what happens when?” they will be developing and using basic science skills.

Water center supplies:

Buckets and other containers of various sizes and shapes (drill holes in the sides of a few so children can observe how the water “shoots” out)
Tubing of various sizes and shapes
Water wall (pieces of plastic coated wire shelving made to stand on side like a wall, tubing can be passed through and supported by wall)
Plastic connectors
Simple hand pumps
Funnels
Turkey basters, eye droppers, and other squirting tools
Paintbrushes
Various objects of different materials (wood, metal, paper, plastic etc…for children to observe what sinks/floats)
Food coloring
Any other containers, objects etc… that will allow children to experiment with the properties of water and how it changes, passes from one object to another, and make other observations

Questions to ask children (these are only a place to start):

How can you move water through the tubes?
What will happen if you put the wood (or other object) in the water?
How will a funnel help water get into the tube?
Why does ___ sink/float?
What happens when you put a drop of water on the pavement? The grass? Sand? A piece of paper? Why is it different for each?
What happens when you add food coloring to water?
What happens if you mix colors?

Encourage children to share their observations and ideas.  Take pictures of children as they play and experiment. Share their pictures and observations with the class. Allow children time to openly explore the water. After they have had time to openly explore the water focus their exploration with eye droppers, tubing, questions, challenges (i.e. Can you get the water into the tube?), and observations for them to explore.

Field trip:

Plan a trip to a local pond, or creek to observe water. Visit a water fountain and watch the water. Take advantage if it rains and take children on a walk to splash and play in rain puddles (after or during a rain shower).

For more information use Exploring Water with Young Children by Ingrid Chalufour & Karen Worth.

Book List

Amos, W.H. 1981. Life in Ponds and Streams. National Geographic Society.
Arnosky, J. 2008. The Brook Book: Exploring the Smallest Streams. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Base, G. 2001. The Water Hole. Harry N Abrams, Inc.
Branley, F.M. 1997. Down Comes the Rain. HarperCollins Children's Books.
Brimner, L.D. 1999. Raindrops. Scholastic Library Publishing.
Dewey, J.O. 1987. At the Edge of the Pond. Little, Brown & Company.
DK Publishing. 2007. Water Everywhere. DK Publishing, Inc.
Edom, H. 2007. Science with Water. EDC Publishing.
Fleming, D. 1993. In the Small, Small Pond. Henry Holt and Co.
Fourment, T. 2004. My Water Comes from the Mountains. Roberts Rinehart Publishers.
George, L.B. 1996. Around the Pond: Who's Been Here? Greenwillow Books.
George, W.T. 1988. Beaver at Long Pond. Greenwillow Books.
Giesecke, E. and A. Royston. 2002. Pond Plants. Heinemann Library.
Greenfield, E. and J.S. Gilchrist. 1999. Water, Water. HarperCollins Publishers.
Hooper, M. The Drop in My Drink: The Story of Water on Our Planet. Viking Press.
Jango-Cohen, J. 2005. Why Does It Rain? Lerner Publishing Group.
Jarnow, J. and E. Hathon. 2000. Splish! Splash! Penguin Group, Inc. (USA).
Kerley, B. 2006. A Cool Drink of Water. National Geographic Society.
Kosek, J.K. 2003. What's inside Lakes? Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Kurtz, J. 2000. River Friendly, River Wild. Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Kurtz, J., C. Kurtz and L. Christiansen. 2002. Water Hole Waiting. HarperCollins Publishers.
Locker, T. 2002. Water Dance. Harcourt Children's Books.
Luenn, N. 1994. Squish!: A Wetland Walk. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Olien, R. 1999. Splish Splash Science, Grades 1-3: Learning about Water with Easy Fun-Filled Activities. Scholastic, Inc.
Petersen, C. 2004. Water Power. Children's Press (CT).
Pluckrose, H. 2001. Water. Gareth Stevens Audio.
Pratt-Serafini, K.J. 2001. Salamander Rain: A Lake & Pond Journal. Dawn Publications.
Rauzon, M.J. 1995. Water, Water Everywhere. Sierra Club Books for Children.
Rosinsky, N.M. 2002. Water: Up, Down, and All Around. Capstone Press.
Schuh, M.C. 2002. What Are Lakes? Capstone Press.
Seuling, B. 2000. Drip! Drop!: How Water Gets to Your Tap. Holiday House, Inc.
Swanson, D. 2005. Wonder in Water. Annick Press, Limited.
Tresselt, A.R. 1990. Rain Drop Splash. HarperCollins Publishers.
Waldman, N. 2003. Snowflake: A Water Cycle Story. Millbrook Press.
Wells, R.E. 2006. Did a Dinosaur Drink This Water? Albert Whitman & Company.
Weininger, B. and A. Moller. 2003. Precious Water. North-South Books.
Wyler, R. 1990. Puddles and Ponds: An Outdoor Book. Silver Burdett Press.

 

 

Backyard Field Guide

Nature Photography for Kids

Create Your Own Backyard Field Guide

Kids love cameras and kids love nature. Combine the two and you have with a wonderful project to fill your summer days.  Last week we explored our backyards with Backyard Exploration, this week we are going to expand on that and make our own backyard field guides using photography.

Allow children to be the lead on the project and follow their interests. Do they want to create a backyard butterfly field guide? A tree field guide?  The sky is the limit (literally - maybe they want to create a cloud guide!). Inventory the plants and animals (or what they have chosen) in your backyard. Photograph each plant and animal and take notes about where you found it, how it feels, smells, and other observations.

Once you have photographed the subjects you want to include download the pictures to your computer. Go through the photographs with your children and decide which photos to include in your field guide (you will most likely have several photos of one subject; pick the best quality photo of each).

With your children identify each subject that you are going to include in your backyard field guide. If you do not have field guides they can be checked out from your local library. There are also many on-line field guide resources.  Allow children time to look through field guides to get an idea of what they look like, and what information is included in each. Decide what information you are going to include in your backyard field guide.

Create your field guides by printing pictures and descriptions and creating a journal. An old notebook or photo album will work. You could also create a photobook through a website such as Snapfish and have an actual book created and mailed to you. You now have a field guide for your own backyard!

Want to expand your field guide? Create a field guide for your neighborhood or community, your favorite camping site, local park, or a vacation trip!

Camera Basics

Teach children the basics of operating a digital camera. For young children teaching them to point and shoot may be enough. Older children may want to learn about the different settings.

There are several kinds of children’s cameras available; however, they generally do not take quality photos. You can get a cheap “adult” camera that will take better photos for the same price. Base your decision on the age of the children and how much “rough and tumble” action the camera will see - kid’s cameras are built to withstand drops, and rougher handling. You can also allow children to use your camera with supervision or purchase disposable cameras for each child.

More Fun Nature Photography Ideas for Kids

Photography scavenger hunts: colors, shapes, alphabet (i.e. tree branches shaped like an A etc), insects, leaves, etc…

Themed photography walks: butterflies, beetles, birds, trees, wildflowers

Personal photo book: allow each child to review their pictures and print off or create a personal photobook of their favorites.

Nature Journal: Add your nature photos to your nature journal.

Books

Castella, K., and B. Boyl. 2006. Discovering Nature's Alphabet. Heyday Books.

Criswell, S. G., et al. 1996. Nature Through Science and Art. McGraw-Hill Companies.

Hass, R. and P. Michael. 2008. River of Words: Young Poets and Artists on the Nature of Things. Milkweed Editions.

Lepp, G., and K. V. Lepp. 2010. Wildlife Photography: Stories from the Field. Lark Books NC.

Sweet, T. 2010. Fine Art Nature Photography: Advanced Techniques and the Creative Process. Stackpole Books.

Links

11 Simple Tips for Kids: Nature Photography

http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/PhotoZone/Archives/2010/Kids-photo-tips.aspx

National Geographic Kids: Photography Tips for Kids

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/activities/moreactivities/photography101/

Nature Mom: Kids ‘n Cameras: Five Tips for Introducing Children to Photography

http://anaturemom.com/2012/07/01/kids-n-cameras-five-tips-for-introducing-photography-to-children/

Backyard Exploration

Your backyard is the perfect place to explore nature with young children. The world outside your backdoor is teeming with life, you just have to look! Flip over rocks, study a flower, sit under a tree – you may be surprised by what you find. Young children are great at exploring backyards; they are naturally curious, they notice small details (like an insect on a grass stem), they are enthusiastic, and they explore with all their senses. Follow their lead and have fun!

Exploration “Kit”

It is not necessary to take anything with you to explore your backyard; however, here is a list of things that may come in handy. Some children will love the idea of packing up an exploration kit. Others may just want to run around and look. Either way, the important thing is to let children explore and discover.

• Notebook/journal
• Pencil/pen
• Magnifying glass
• Binoculars
• Bug repellent
• Sunscreen
• Field guides

Exploration Journal

Creating a family exploration or nature journal is a wonderful way to record your findings and memories. You can create an exploration journal from a sketch pad, a composition notebook, or even loose sheets of paper in a binder. Exploration journals can contain your observations, drawings, photographs, and even pressed leaves and flowers. You can start your exploration journal in your backyard and branch out from there to your neighborhood, local park, and even take it on vacation.

Nature Table

After you are done exploring your backyard you may find that you are carrying or have pockets full of “treasures” your children have found along the way. Try creating a designated “nature table” or shelf in your home to display and keep your nature items. Pebbles, sticks, leaves, flower petals – all these things can be displayed for children to explore further.  

Children’s Books

Arnosky, J. 1998. Animal Tracker. Random House Value Publishing, Inc.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Bird Watcher. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Bug Hunter. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 1979. Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs. Penguin Group (USA).
Baylor, B. and P. Parnall. 1997. The Other Way to Listen. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Becker, B., and S. Halpern. 1999. Tickly Prickly. HaperCollins Publishers.
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. and L. Evert. 2001. More Fun with Nature. Northword Press.
Capogna, V.V. 1999. Did You Ever Wonder about Things You Find in Your Backyard? Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Fredericks, A.D. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and Other Ughs. Dawn Publications.
Hines, A. G. 1994. What Joe Saw. HarperCollins Publishers.
Hoban, T. 1984. Is It Rough? Is It Smooth? Is It Shiny? HarperCollins Publishers.
Kalman, B. 1993. The Colors of Nature. Crabtree Publishing Company.
Morrison, G. 2004. Nature in the Neighborhood. Walter Lorraine Books/Houghton Mifflin Books.
Portis, A. 2008. Not a Stick. HarperCollins Publishers.
Rau, D.M. 2006. Star in My Orange: Looking for Nature's Shapes. Lerner Publishing Group.
Rotner, S. and K. Kreisler. 1992. Nature Spy. Atheneum.
Roy, J.R. 2005. Patterns in Nature. Benchmark Books.
Stockdale, S. 1999. Nature's Paintbrush: The Patterns and Colors around You. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Wallace, N.E. 2006. Look! Look! Look! Marshall Cavendish Children's Books.

Resource Books

Chalufour, I., and K. Worth. 2003. Discovering Nature with Young Children.Redleaf Press.
Leslie, C. W. 2010. The Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classrooms.Storey Publishing.
Van Tilburg, C. 2005. Introducing Your Kids to the Outdoors. Stackpole Books.

Links

Nature Rocks: A global program inspiring families to explore nature
http://www.naturerocks.org/

Nature Rocks Activity Finder

http://www.naturerocks.org/activities/index.htm

50 Ways to Explore Nature in Your Own Backyard

http://www.goexplorenature.com/2010/08/50-ways-to-explore-nature-in-your-own.html

Backyard Nature Fun

http://www.goexplorenature.com/p/backyard-nature-fun.html

Exploring Your Own Backyard

http://www.hswlt.org/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/exploring-your-own-backyard.html

 

 

 

The Great American Backyard Campout is June 22^nd

This weekend connect with nature and your kids by participating in the National Wildlife Federation sponsored Great American Backyard Campout!

Backyard camping is the perfect way to introduce children to camping: it is familiar yet different enough to be exciting, you remain close to home if mishaps should arise, you are creating memories that will last a lifetime, supplies and a change of clothes are close at hand, and it is a great way to connect with your backyard and each other!

Are you an educator who wants to participate in the Great American Backyard Campout with your students? Did you know you can create a team and register through the NWF? (Families can register too!) Can’t actually go camping? How about faux camping on the school grounds during the day? Set up tents, explore the school grounds (or your backyard), cook outdoors, tell stories and have FUN!

Camping & Nature Exploration Books

Arnosky, J. 1997. Bird Watcher. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Bug Hunter. Random House Children's Books.
Boring, M. 1999. Fun with Nature. T&N Children's Publishing.
Boring, M. and L. Evert. 2001. More Fun with Nature. Northword Press.
Capogna, V.V. 1999. Did You Ever Wonder about Things You Find in Your Backyard? Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Carlson, L.M. and J. Dammel. 1995. Kids Camp!: Activities for the Backyard or Wilderness. Chicago Review Press, Incorporated.
Ching, J. 2000. Camping: Have Fun, Be Smart. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.
Drake, J. and A. Love. 1998. Kids Campfire Book. Kids Can Press, Limited.
Eckart, E. 2003. I Can Go Camping. Children's Press.
Love, D. 1997. Backyard Camp-out Book. HarperCollins Publishers.
Paolilli, P. and D. Brewer. 2001. Silver Seeds: A Book of Nature Poems. Viking.
Ruurs, M. 2004. When We Go Camping. Tundra.
Ryder, J., and D. Nolan. 1990. Under Your Feet. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
White, K.L. 2006. Cooking in a Can. Gibbs Smith.
Winner, C. 2006. Kids Gone Campin': The Young Camper's Guide to Having More Fun Outdoors. Creative Publishing International, Incorporated.
Yolen, J. and J. Stemple. Color Me a Rhyme: Nature Poems for Young People. Boyds Mills Press.

Camping Links

NWF: Great American Backyard Campout
http://www.nwf.org/great-american-backyard-campout.aspx

IDNR: Camping Tips and Recipes

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Recreation/CampingFacilityRentals/CampingTipsRecipes.aspx

NWF: Camping Tips, Recipes, Songs and More

http://www.nwf.org/Great-American-Backyard-Campout/Get-Ready.aspx

IDNR Pinterest (Camping recipes and more!)

http://pinterest.com/iowadnr/