The Vermont weather has been treating us well lately. Hopefully you were all able to get outside to have some Earth Day FUN! If you missed the chance, or are looking for more things to do with your little one, here is one idea with a lot of variation:
Nature walk
There are a bunch of great parks and hiking trails throughout South Burlington where you can escape and be one with nature. Here are a few of our favorites: Red Rocks Park (Central Ave.), Wheeler Nature Park (Swift St. Extension, near Dorset Park), East Woods UVM trail (Swift St, near Klingers Bakery).
Want to start small? Go out in your own backyard, or take a walk around the neighborhood! The trees are starting to bud, flowers are sprouting, you can hear the birds sing-- nature is everywhere!
Extend your child's understanding of the world...
Ask them questions about the things they see, hear, smell, feel. Using the phrase "I wonder..." is a great way to get children to start thinking. Point out things that YOU notice too! Remember that much like a nature walk, the pathway to learning is not about the destination, it's about the journey.
Things to do on a nature walk:
- Collect sticks, rocks, pine cones, etc.
- Look for signs of wildlife (scratches on trees, tracks, bird calls).
- Discover the world below: turn over logs, rocks. See what you can find! (Remember to put the logs and rocks back where you found them!)
- Compare bark rubbings: Place a piece of paper against a tree trunk. Rub the long side of a crayon against the paper. You will see a replica of the bark on the paper.
What are your favorite things to do on nature walks?
