This kindergarten readiness fun and learning play-of-the-day gets 3 p’s in one: post, planet, and play. Today, all over the planet kids will be doing a variety of crafts to celebrate Earth Day, but one of the most important activities is for children to spend some time outside actually experiencing the natural world, connecting to nature, and feeling that they are also part of nature and the Earth.
What’s is the weather like where you live? Your child may be able to feel the wind or the warm (hopefully) sun. Together look at the sky and check out the clouds. That’s using the senses of sight and touch. Are there any sounds to hear? There may be some flowers to smell, or newly mowed grass, or the freshness after rain. In a city, there might be other smells that are not natural. It’s a good time to talk about needing to take care of the earth and find ways to keep earth clean.
Even in cities there will be pockets of nature to observe and possibly explore, from tiny spots of lichen on the sidewalk to big trees. Playing in the dirt or mud is a super sensory activity and can happen in the yard, garden, or even a plastic dishpan. Add in some rocks, grass, pinecones, and other bits of nature for more fun. What might be some other ways that kids can connect with nature for Earth Day?