A Learning Experience for You and Your Child
Remember:
- Everything is new to a young child!
- One of the joys of parenting is to introduce your child to the world in which we live.
- In simple ways we can share our world with them.
- Brain research demonstrates that children who spend large amounts of time outdoors are more settled and able to focus better.
- Children who get outdoor exercise are more physically fit.
Sharing outdoor experiences with your child:
- Builds a strong bond with your child.
- Promotes feelings of self-worth and confidence.
- Expands his/her knowledge and experience.
Outdoor play with other children:
- Increases social skills and successful adjustments.
- Encourages children to participate in their community.
Things to Do
Enjoy Nature:
- Take a walk and explore the neighborhood.
- Look for different kinds of trees, plants, birds, insects, and animals.
- Talk about the weather.
- Look at the clouds by day or the stars by night.
- Examine a bird’s nest, a squirrel’s nest, or other animal homes.
Look for Colors:
Play games naming all the colors in sight.
Play Games:
Skip over cracks; play Hopscotch, Kick the Can, Mother May I, or I Spy.
Count:
Animals, leaves, rocks
Look for Shapes:
Circles, squares, triangles
Pick Up:
- Trash or treasure in a paper bag.
- Natural objects, like leaves or rocks.
- Go on a “treasure hunt.” You’ll be surprised what a child considers a treasure.
Compare:
Sizes, textures, shapes
Listen:
For sounds in nature
Identify:
Smells such as flowers, food, or plants
