Our top priority is providing peace of mind to our current parents and community. View updates on how we are keeping our school and students safe.
Parents can turn any walk into a nature walk! It does not require a walk on a nature trail in the woods or expensive hiking gear. Even a walk around the block can be a learning experience for preschoolers. Just put on some comfortable walking shoes, and head outside. There is little to no preparation needed. When walking, parents can model how to use all five senses on a nature walk.
Try this:
- I see the big, white clouds or the tall, green trees.
- I am touching hard rocks or the soft, wet grass.
- I hear the birds chirping or the wind shaking the leaves.
- I smell the sweet flowers or the fallen pine needles.
To make the walks more fun, bring along a magnifying glass for children to inspect things in nature more closely. Look at the different sizes, shapes, and structures of the rocks, leaves, and flowers. Or, bring a notebook and a few crayons. Children can observe and then draw what they see. Another fun idea is to grab an egg carton and color different colored circles on the inside of each egg slot. As the child walks around, have them look for small items that will fit in the egg carton that match the colored circles. This activity can be repeated, but instead of colors, look for particular shapes or textures. Finally, a scavenger hunt is always a fun and simple way to keep preschoolers interested on a nature walk. The internet is full of free printable sheets, or parents can make up their own.
As the weather gets nicer, get outside! There is so much for preschoolers to learn in the great outdoors. Do not worry too much about an agenda. Having an activity that goes along with the walk is nice, but children will also benefit from the freedom to explore nature without structure.
If you enjoyed this blog, please take a look at our school’s blog page. There you will find blogs on a wide variety of topics that we believe will be beneficial to you and your family.
Want to learn more about Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Hamilton Mill located in Buford, Georgia? Our mission is to provide secure, nurturing, and educational environments for children ages 6 weeks – 12 years. We help children to bloom into responsible, considerate, and contributing members of society. For more information, give us a call or stop by for a tour! We’d love to get to know you and your family.