Five sounds like hive, where bees go after collecting, so #5 kindergarten readiness learning and fun nature activity is collecting. Collecting treasures from nature not only helps kids with many kindergarten readiness skills, it also encourages kids to connect with nature. Especially in the fall, kids can collect leaves, as well as pinecones, seeds, rocks, wood, fall flowers, and acorns.
Some of the strategies that children learn are observing and looking carefully to find items for their collection. They also need to match the characteristics of items to see if they fit the category or not. There’s explaining, organizing, counting, sorting, selecting, and others. Children also practice making decisions and problem solving as they choose what to include. While this sounds like work, if children are interested and excited it is play.
The collection may only last one season, or it may last many but the learning and connection to nature last a lifetime. What nature treasures does your child collect?