​​​​​​​​Materials: None.

STEP 1

Head outside with your child and follow their lead. Notice what your child likes when they are outdoors. Birds, trees, dirt, and bugs are fascinating topics for children.

STEP 2

Have a conversation with your child about things your family finds in nature. There are many opportunities for science and nature discoveries outside.

STEP 3

If your child is interested in bugs, find one they like, and have them draw and color it. Then, later as a family, you can look up bugs matching the description to learn more about them. If they aren’t interested in bugs, try leaves or anything else that catches their attention.

MAKE IT EASIER:

Have a conversation with your child about things they like to do outside. While outdoors, you can ride a bike, race, toss a ball, or blow bubbles with your child.

EXTEND THE LEARNING:

  • Reflect on your feelings about the outdoors. Think about how you feel being outside and how that feeling transfers to your child.
  • Take activities outdoors. Consider taking activities like painting, reading, journaling, and playing with your child outdoors.
  • Reflect on how you felt after spending time with your family outside. Think about what was interesting to your child, what you played, and how you played. Think about ways the game or activity

WHAT IS MY CHILD LEARNING?

Your child is learning to encounter situations that involve risk like balancing on a log or curb, or climbing a tree or hill. Children thrive and engage their higher-order thinking skills when they manage risks themselves. Also, they are working on locomotor skills and writing skills.

WHY?

Being outside is the perfect environment for children to move. Fresh air and sunshine can do wonders for our well-being. Spending time outside with your family has numerous benefits for physical and mental health. It also creates learning opportunities. Outdoor play helps children develop movement skills that strengthen their muscles. Physical activity is important to help children grow healthy and strong.


children collecting leaving in the woods