Computer screens are increasingly becoming the focus of
education, but nature has always been our teacher. Familyfocusblog.com offers
these suggestions for activities that will teach kids botany, biology, ecology,
observation skills, research methods, patience, and a host of other lessons.
Hiking – Whether you choose a walk around the block
or a wilderness trek, hiking is a fun family activity that provides a changing
assortment of stuff to notice. Point out creatures and plants to your kids and
stop to observe or examine. You might do a bit of research before starting out,
so you can also talk about the history of the area or facts about the
predominant plant and tree species.
Birding – Birdwatching provides a great focus for a
hike, but it's most easily done in your back yard, especially if you have a
bird feeder. Even a city fire escape offers views of birds. Kids will learn a
lot just by observing and differentiating one species from another. You can
bring in information such as what various birds eat, nesting habits, migration
patterns. Practical lessons will also be stirred up, from the use of binoculars
to how to keep squirrels out of the bird feeder.
Gardening – It's healthy to get hands in the dirt,
and what a tremendous satisfaction it is to harvest vegetables we've grown
ourselves! Kids can get exercise by helping out with digging beds. They'll
learn about plant life cycles by planting seeds, watching them grow, and
learning when to harvest. Watering teaches responsibility, judgment, and
details of the water cycle. Weeding teaches how to identify different species,
especially if you show them the edible weeds that can go into salads.
Rock hunting – Kids who are interested in rocks and
fossils will enjoy trips to investigate creek banks, stream beds, and rock
walls. The Hudson Valley has old quarries that are fun to explore, providing
lessons on the history of the local economy. Bring along a rock and mineral
field guide and do some research on the geological formation of the region. (EDITOR’S
NOTE: I remember when my kids had to find fossils for an elementary school
class, sorry I forgot the grade. We looked for stone walls and were almost
always successful in finding fossil imprints.)