Preschoolers and Nature Walks

A nature walk is precisely what it sounds like. Parents and preschoolers go for a walk in nature. No pre-planning or structure is needed! It is desirable to find a place that is far away from street noise or even playgrounds, so that the child can really pay attention to the sights and sounds seen and heard in nature. As they walk, encourage them to pay attention and use their senses as they explore.

Try this:

• I see the fluffy, white clouds or different colored leaves.
• I am touching hard rocks, rough tree bark, or wet grass.
• I hear the birds chirping or the wind rustling the leaves.
• I smell the sweet flowers or the fallen pine needles.

While walking, let the child take the lead. This builds confidence and independence. To make the walks more fun, bring along a magnifying glass for children to inspect the different sizes, shapes, and structures of stones, grass, and flowers. Or, bring some paper 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. Finally, a scavenger hunt is always an enjoyable and simple way to keep preschoolers interested on a walk. The internet is full of free printable sheets, or parents can make their own.

Whether the preschooler lives in the city with parks, walking trails, and green spaces; or the child lives in the country with fields and wooded areas, find a way to get outside. There is so much for preschoolers to learn in nature. 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 an organized plan.

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 Highland Glen located in Pearland, Texas? 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.