Nature -- the environment, the animals, the plants -- surrounds us. We can teach our children about nature in many ways -- being outside and observing is always my first preference. But books can support our children's understanding of nature, too. Especially when we're reading about things we can't experience first hand due to our location in the world. (Not too many of us live by coral reefs.) … [Read more...]
12 Cheerful Children’s Books About Spring
Introduce your children to the wonder of spring! Reading good children's books about spring gives kids knowledge about what to expect in nature. In spring, you'll find new plants and baby animals. And after a long winter, it's a wonderful time to get back outside. There, observe the new life popping up all around you. (One year, I gave my kids digital cameras to make searching for spring extra … [Read more...]
Inspiring, Informative Children’s Books About Trees
Have you ever adopted a tree and watched it through the seasons? Kids love watching trees. This is even more meaningful when they learn about trees. Take a peek at these inspiring and informative children's books about trees. Read them with your kids. I hope these give your children new eyes in which to view our natural world. Inspiring and Informative Children's Books About Trees Tree: A … [Read more...]
Best Children’s Books About Bugs (Insects)
Kids LOVE bugs, right? Help them learn more by reading these best children's books about insects, as well as other non-insects bugs like worms and arachnids. If your kids don't love bugs yet, maybe these books will get them interested. Also, it's always good to get hands-on. Observe insects in nature. Make a worm garden. (Those are fun!) Use a microscope to investigate safe bugs close up. … [Read more...]
New Spring Books for Kids About Nature and Animals
If you're wondering, the first day of spring was yesterday, March 21. Happy spring!! In celebration of the season, you can read these new released, wonderful picture books with your kids; they're all about nature and animals. New Spring Books for Kids About Nature and Animals Touch Think Learn: Fly by Xavier Deneux (ages 1 - 4) Little fingers get to move the 9 removable pieces in this … [Read more...]
Play the Forest School Way
Play the Forest School Way: Woodland Games, Crafts and Skills for Adventurous Kids by Peter Houghton and Jane Worroll knows that the greatest playground for children is outside in nature. Play the Forest School Way I like the activities in the book as well as the background information for facilitators to know and share with children before, during, and after each activity. Each activity … [Read more...]
How Birds Connect Kids to Nature
Our latest bird activity, bird banding was more up close and hands-on than other activities we've done. It was a fabulous way to get outside and excited about animals. Bird Activities Connect Kids To Nature For educational and/or research purposes, staff and volunteers at bird and nature centers catch birds in mesh nets like the ones below. These birds are put into cloth bags and hung … [Read more...]
Renewable Energy Virtual Field Trip
We all rely on energy. But how can we get the energy we need without harming nature? Virtual Field Trip Students, teachers, and homeschoolers, join scientist Alex Wegmann to answer this question (HINT: renewable energy) by exploring two amazing places: the Palmyra Atoll (coral reef) and the Mojave Desert. Take a virtual field trip Friday, May 20, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. EST on YouTube. Registration … [Read more...]
Earth Day Celebration With Nature Books
Every year when spring arrives, we share the excitement of the new season with our children. Curious, we touch new buds, feel the weather change, and look for baby animals. Find more of nature's springtime delights with these lovely new (2016) picture books. Earth Day Celebration With Nature Books Little Butterfly by Laura Logan This is a gorgeous wordless picture book … [Read more...]
Story Stones for Your Garden Classroom
The Garden Classroom: Hands-On Activities in Math, Science, Literacy & Art offers children ages four to eight creative garden activities in play & imagination, reading & writing, science & math, arts & crafts, and recipes. The ideas are age-appropriate, fun, and informative including the one we created, story stones. It's written by Cathy James, the U.K. creator of the popular … [Read more...]
Imagination + Nature + Kids = Woodland People
Hello! It is so lovely to be here today. I am Maggy, and write over at Red Ted Art, where I like to get crafty with my two young children Red Ted (4) and Pip Squeak (2). You will find the website packed with kids craft ideas for all seasons and age groups. People often ask me what my “favourite crafts” of all times is… and to be honest, I really can’t say. We have made so many things over … [Read more...]
Painting With Nature
Guest post by Kristin Autry, preschool teacher turned stay at home mom who blogs at Sense of Wonder. When looking for inspiration for your next art project, I suggest you look no further than your own garden. The beautiful colors, textures, and shapes make the garden an excellent source of material to explore through art. My mother-in-law recently gave us several pomegranates that had fallen … [Read more...]