Spring Detective Walk

[20 Minutes]

Is it time to get some fresh air and exercise? Why not invite your child to go with you on a spring detective walk?

You'll need:

• magnifying glass • clipboard with paper or pad • pencil • crayons or markers • camera

What to do:

1. Ask your child if he knows what a detective is. Explain that a detective looks for signs or clues to "detect" or learn about what's happening. Give him an example of a clue such as, "Your hands are still dirty, so that clue tells me you did not wash them."
2. Invite your child to go with you on a spring detective walk. Show him detective "tools": the magnifying glass, camera, and the clipboard and pencil to record his observations.
3. Once outside, ask him to look around and see if he sees any clues that show that it is spring.
4. Is the weather different than it was a few weeks ago? Is it windy? Spring is a windy time of year in many places. What are some clues that it is windy?
5. Write down the clues and observations for him.
6. Ask your child to look at the soil for green shoots, footprints, animals' tracks, and so on. Discuss when he thinks these things were made.
7. Encourage your child to look up in the sky for birds returning from the south.
8. Discuss the items that were written down when you get home. Ask your child if he remembers any other important clues that it is spring.
9. Encourage him to draw pictures of his experience.
10. Go on another walk in a few weeks and compare the changes.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• What clues told you it was spring (getting to be spring)?
• What clues were signs that someone or something had been there?
• Would you like to draw a picture of one of the clues we saw? Which one?

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, your child is developing observational skills and language skills.