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'I Love Dirt!'

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[January 28, 2009]  "I Love Dirt! 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature." Jennifer Ward, Trumpeter Books, 2008, 153 pages.

Review by
Richard Sumrall

"There may be no better way to ensure the well-being of the natural world tomorrow than to introduce children to its many small wonders today."

In her new book, "I Love Dirt!" author and naturalist Jennifer Ward presents an engaging study of nature through a variety of activities and recreational pursuits. Her intent is to reintroduce children to the diversity of our outdoor environment and reverse a national trend toward a more indoor existence.

Reminding all of us that "there is nothing more joyful and inspiring to watch than children discovering the world around them," Ward's book is a blueprint for parents wanting to bring exciting outdoor experiences to children. Here are some examples taken from the book's chapters on the four seasons of the year:

Spring

Spring is a time of warm days and rainy weather. It is also a time of rebirth and regeneration. "Spring Into Spring" is a great introductory activity that gives children the opportunity to find the signs of new life -- budding flowers, sprouting leaves or growing seedlings. These signs help children understand what makes new plants each year and why the birds and animals become so active.

There is no need to let a rainy day ruin your outdoor fun. "Rain, Rain, Come Again" is an activity that helps children learn why it rains and the role of rain in the environment. Spend some time with a child under an umbrella and show them how rain sounds, how it feels in your hand and why puddles form on the ground.

Summer

The spring season gives way to summer, and that means hot days and warm nights. This is the best time of the year to get outside and get dirty. "Digging Dirt" offers nature's perfect play item for kids. Simply give them a small shovel, cup or spoon and watch the exploration begin. They can build mountains, volcanoes, castles and other shapes from dirt. They can also add water to their creations and enjoy the endless creative possibilities of mud.

One question that children always ask is: Where do rocks come from? "Rock 'n' Roll" is a scavenger hunt that explains the answer. Begin by gathering rocks of all types -- flat, bumpy, rough, smooth, shiny, dull, etc. -- and describe their similarities and differences. Remember that children love to build things with rocks. Rocks make a wonderful aid in expressing the imagination and working together as a group.

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Fall

Children will notice a distinctive change in the weather when the fall season arrives. This is an opportunity to take advantage of the cool days and cloudy weather. Consider moving some indoor activities to the outdoors. "Time Out," encourages children to go outside and do things they normally do indoors -- story times, reading, meals, playtimes, etc. This gives parents the chance to answer questions such as: Why are we reading or eating outside? One answer -- to enjoy the fresh air that keeps us healthy.

There is no reason to let a cloudy day spoil your fun. "Cloud Racing," is an innovative way to turn a gloomy day into a fascinating experience. Children can learn what clouds are, what they are made of and why they are important to the natural world. Simply spread a blanket on the ground, lie back and watch a spectacular show. Get the children to think about the shapes, colors and sizes of clouds. As the clouds move across the sky, ask the child to choose their favorite and imagine that they are traveling on it and floating in the sky.

Winter

We normally spend most of the wintertime indoors. Although it is a time of cold days and snowy weather, it offers some of the most stimulating activities for children. Children are always curious about the birds and animals during winter -- Where do they go? What do they eat? How do they stay warm? "Tweet Treat" is a perfect way to answer these questions. Take the children outside and explain the concepts of migration (birds flying overhead) and hibernation (nests in the trees). Children can create an infinite number of food treats in the kitchen to attract birds, squirrels and other animals to the backyard. Simple recipes can include fruit wedges, seeds, nuts or peanut butter. If there is snow on the ground, they can build a snowman bird feeder.

The habits of birds and animals are not the only things that change during winter. "Bare Naked Trees" explains to kids why the trees lose their leaves. Studying the bare trees lets children observe their different shapes, barks and branches. It is also another way to point out the different nests within the limbs, who built them and how they are constructed.

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"I Love Dirt!" is a wonderfully imaginative guide to teaching children about the natural world. The book presents "52 open-ended activities to help you engage your child in the outdoors. … Each activity is meant to promote exploration, stimulate imagination and heighten a child's sense of wonder."

This book is recommended for parents, teachers and anyone wanting to encourage children to appreciate the natural world around them.

[Text from file received from Richard Sumrall, Lincoln Public Library District]

 

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