 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.
___
"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] |
