Looking for insects

 

One day we went looking for insects with lots of large magnifying glasses. We found lots of ants, a giant dead cockroach, a dragonfly, an empty spiderweb and some buzzing flys. One boy said he was allergic to mosquitoes. We left the insects where we found them.

This activity is so simple as all you need to take with you outdoors is a magnifying glass and you can have an interesting half hour or more for all kinds of kids: artists, scientists, nature lovers, explorers...
I have found that the best magnifying glass for young children, has a safe large plastic lense, makes a wonderful gift and can be purchased here.

Later we sang about the bees in the beehive and shoo fly and incy wincy spider and we read the Eric Carle book about the spider where you can feel the web on the page.

Read more dragonfly ideas can be found at 52 days to explore.



LINKED AT:
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Sand play

There is nothing like wet sand on a hot sunny day. It is a wonderful open ended activity that needs nothing more than sand and hands.
Developmental facts about sand play:
It is sensory and encourages exploration and imagination and social skills if done in a group of two or more.
It developments muscle strength in hands and arms and in the upper body.
Measuring and pouring and constructing help develop maths and science concepts such as full and empty, big and small.
It develops language skills when sharing, explaining and telling stories of what is happening. Read more:

Sand Play extras

Natural materials: stones, shells, pine cones, leaves, flowers, large smooth rocks,

Kitchen equipment: RECYCLE: drink bottles, spatulas, rolling pins, funnels, sieves, colanders, measuring spoons and cups, scoops, wooden spoons, plastic spoons, plastic containers, egg cartons, scales, plastic mixing bowls, jugs, plastic bowls and dishes, potato masher, plastic cookie cutters, pots and pans.

Sand Toys: sand wheel, bucket, spade, digger, sand combs or wide toothed combs

Toys:
- blocks and block people
- shakers
- plastic animals
- play kitchen
- magnifiers
- vehicles including trucks
- train tunnels
- trees 
- people
- tea set

Household items:
- pegs
- pieces of material
- straws
- gardening tools and gloves
- tubes and cylinders
- child size table and chairs 



Rules for the sandpit:
Don't throw sand
Don't eat sand

Sandpit cleanliness:
Sun is a great sanitiser.
Cover sandpit when it is not in use or when you leave the play area.

Books to read to pre-schoolers about sand:

Jump Into Science: Sand for 4 to 8 year olds
The Seashore Book for 4 to 8 year olds
Miranda's Beach Day for ages 3 to 8

Recommended toys:
Green Toys Sand Play Set is made from recycled plastic milk containers that save energy, reduce landfill waste and lower greenhouse gas emissions, all in the name of good green fun.

Nature Table

at earth sky sea child

NATURE's WONDERS

Creating a nature table in your home or centre is a wonderful way to get children and parents interested in the big wide world outdoors. It is an excellent activity for all ages, from the very young and also those in wheelchairs and other children who do not consider themselves sporty or active.

It gives a focus to the days activity: Today we are collecting things, at the park, to place on our new nature table.

When we had a nature table,at one of the centres I worked with, we found that parents were taking their children for walks or planning more visits to the national parks and creeks and beaches and they were as excited as the children when they brought in an abandoned bird's nest or some ancient coral that had washed up on the shore. When children discover these natural treasures they feel more connected to something larger and wondrous.

Linked up at The Weekly Kids Co-op

Shadow Play

On a sunny day watch your shadow and see what it can do.

HOW TO: 

• Find a sunny open area to stand in with no trees or big structures around. 

• Find the sun and turn your back to it.

• Your shadow should be in front of you.

• A lot depends on what time of day it is:  

       - if the sun is low in the sky your shadow will be long.
       - if the sun is high in the sky your shadow will be short.


MORE ACTIVITIES:

If you are feeling patient, stand very still and see if someone can draw around your shadow.

Shadow Shapes for older children

Shadow puppets at night

Me and my shadow,
Strolling down the avenue,
Me and my shadow,
Not a soul to tell our troubles to . . .

And when it’s twelve o’clock,
We climb the stair,
We never knock,
For nobody’s there . . .

Perry Como

Leaf hunt

Go on a leaf hunt. This is a simple activity but full of learning about observation, nature, the environment and how things work.
If you know the names of the plants that the leaves come from then this is a good place to start. If you know if the tree is Deciduous - a plant that loses its leaves in winter, or Evergreen - a plant that keeps its leaves throughout the year, even better.

Science basics for young children.  a leaf is connected to a trees branch. A leaf helps feed the tree. Most leaves are flat so that they can collect the sunshine, water and nutrients to feed the tree. 

Get this worksheet at Education.com

To extend this activity:

• learn the correct names for some basic leaf shapes
• learn more about leaves
• create a collage with your collection of leaves
• create some land art with your leaves
• photograph your leaves. Children love to take photos too
• make a science display about different kinds of leaves
• create a mobile using string and leaves and sticks
• organise your leaves into groups by colour, size or shape
• count your leaves

You might also like to see:
Collect a rainbow
Commune with flowers

Linked up with 1000 Homes of Happiness 

Collect a rainbow

Collect a rainbow

Teaching colours through nature

Dandelion Clocks

Blowing dandelion clocks.
1 o'clock... 2 o'clock...3 o'clock...
The number of puffs needed to blow the filamentous achenes from a dandelion is supposed to tell the time.
Try again with another dandelion.