Bringing the Inside Out

With the weather outside getting warmer, here are some ideas for taking activities that typically occur inside the classroom to an outside environment with minimal effort.

Math & Science Exploration-

Take advantage of a nature color exploration. The natural colors occurring with the trees changing colors, flowers blooming, and the beautiful blue bonnets are a great way to start conversations with children. Just recently when passing by the beauties below a conversation began about the various colors that were present and predictions began on if the leaves felt different or would make different sounds when touched and crumbled. What do you think- did it feel different or make different sounds?

Art activities-

The possibilities on creative art experiences are only limited by our imaginations. So, take these experiences outside too! Using large butcher paper and bubbles with food coloring makes for a fun project to create outside. Blowing bubbles and watching them pop on the paper thus creating unique color splashes provides a great individual or small group outside art experience.

Of course, don’t forget about nature walks and collecting leaves, branches and rocks to then create collages and again explore textures, colors, and the various designs that can be made when these items are dipped in paint. Remember when collecting items from nature you don’t want to take too much and be aware of safety issues such as environmental allergies.

Water Fun-

Finally, the weather can still be unpredictable so encourage parents to explore their surroundings with their children after the rain. During these explorations, the new smells, sounds, and colors that appear after the rain can be discussed and provide opportunities to expand both language and science skills. Making predictions about what occurs when items are dropped into puddles, how deep a puddle is and how big of a splash can be made are fun ways to practice science skills too.

The three ideas presented here are low cost, interactive, outdoor activities that allow learning through exploration. Learning through experiences such as play and social interactions helps children make connections with previous knowledge and create a new understanding of the world around them. Take some time today to enjoy the outside environments through the eyes of a young child.

Professional Development that connects to this blog include:

1.       Outside Explorations

2.       Math & Science Activities for Young Children

3.       Art Without Brushes

4.       Home & School Connections

These professional development opportunities can be provided face to face now and will be available online soon.