Woods, ponds, fields, the skies, and your own backyard
all have a “fall readiness” program going on!
Can you see the signs? One immense benefit, educationally speaking, of taking nature walks through each of the seasons, is to observe “changes” as they occur, to spend time thinking about them—why is the grass turning brown? Why are the leaves colored, or falling? Why are the clouds so low and gray? Why is the air so cool, when it was so warm just a week ago? What are those animals doing anyway?
As your student spends time outdoors and sees and feels changes around him, and as he wonders what is happening and why, he will begin to find a few of the answers and make discoveries of his own. Often his discoveries are confirmed when he reads about various nature topics. Therefore, you might want to end your nature walk at a library where your student can research what he has just seen. Be ready to help him find what he needs. There are very simple books on leaves, seeds, nuts, and others for your preschool student, as well. If you have invested in a good resource library at home, I know you will enjoy pulling out various field guides, encyclopedias and nature brochures, and identifying what you have seen on your outdoor journeys.
Happy fall!
If you aren’t quite sure what to do on your nature walk, check out the FALL version of the Five in a Row Digital Nature Studies here!
