Children have many opportunities to think like scientists. Many key components of scientific thinking are imbedded in the way children play. Children are natural observers and are very inquisitive. There are many ways we can encourage children to use their senses and develop their observational skills by: asking questions, describing what they see, predicting what will happen, using tools, communicating their ideas with others, explaining what they see and what is happening.
Remember that there is a connection between learning and playing. Children learn best while playing. When I was a kid I had a lab. It wasn’t a laboratory in the sense that I would measure and do important experiments. Instead, I would play. Richard Feyman – Nobel Prize Recipient in Physics
Yesterday while Curt and I were on a walk we saw two crows building a nest in the neighbor’s tree. If you are out on a walk look up in the trees and look for nests. You can make a nest making station and set it out in the yard. It is fun to walk around the neighborhood and see some of the treasures you put out in your yard for the birds to use when making their nests.
Nest for a Bird
Here is a nest for a birdie
Here is have for a bee
Here is a hole for bunny
And here is a home for me
Mother Bird
A mother bird laid an egg with care
And when it hatched a baby was there
She ate and she ate And she grew and grew
And then one day away she flew.
TWO LITTLE BLACK BIRDS
Two little black birds. . .sitting on a hill
One named Jack . .. one named Jill
Fly away Jack. . .fly away Jill
Come back Jack. . .come back Jill
5 Little Ducks
Five little ducks went out to play
Over the hills and far away
Mommy and Daddy duck said quack, quack, quack
But only 4 little ducks came back. (then 3, 2, 1, none of the 5 little ducks came back)
Sad Mommy and Daddy duck went one day
Over the hills and far away
Mommy and Daddy duck said quack, quack, quack
And all of the five little ducks came back.