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:
- 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."
- 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.
- Once outside, ask him to look around and see if he sees any clues that show that it is spring.
- 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?
- Write down the clues and observations for him.
- 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.
- Encourage your child to look up in the sky for birds returning from the south.
- 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.
- Encourage him to draw pictures of his experience.
- 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.
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