It is very important to
introduce kids to nature very early in life. From the time your baby is very
small, make it a routine to take him outdoors for half an hour to one hour in a
day. He will observe the sky, trees , flowers and the greenery around him. As
he grows older, you can perform interesting activities for kids to make him
more aware of the world around him.
Importance of introducing Nature activities to kid are :
·
Physical
Development :
It has been proved that the
kids who are exposed to nature are calm and are better team players.
·
Creative
Development :
Kids who play in the nature are
more creative than the kids who do not have any exposure to the nature. They
can imagine and draw beautiful trees, flowers, clouds and rain.
·
Mental
Development :
Kids who love nature have
better problem solving skills , learn things faster, lessen the chances of
being ADHD and have a better memory.
·
Improves
Vocabulary :
Kids learn a lot about various
leaves, flowers, rain, weather, clouds, sun moon ,etc. This definitely improves
their memory.
·
Appreciate
Nature :
If kids are exposed to nature,
they learn to appreciate the world where they live and learn how to take care
of it.
You can do lots of enjoyable Nature activities with your kids :
·
Make
your own garden :
Collect different and flowers with your child. Put paint on the
flower petals and leaves print on a sheet of paper. Make it colourful. Your kid
will be very proud of his own garden.
·
Parts
of a plant :
You can sow seed in mud and let
you child water it everyday. He will observe how the seed germinate , grow into
stems, leaves, bud and a flower.
·
Clouds
and Rain :
You can make cotton clouds and
then with finger print you can get your child to make rain.
·
Nature
Scavenger Hunt :
Give a basket to your child and
arrange a small scavenger hunt, where he has to follow the clues and collect
different stones, flowers and leaves. By the end of the hunt, he will be very
happy with what he has in his basket.
·
Vegetable
Printing:
You can cut vegetables like
potatoes, onions , ladyfinger into different flower shapes. Put some colour on
the vegetable and ask your child to make the print on the sheet.
·
Sink
and Float :
Fill a tub with water and get
various objects like, stones, pebbles, leaves, flowers and sticks. Put one
object in the water. Make your child see which objects float and which sink in
water.
·
Finger
Print Insects :
There are various insects in
the gardens. You can make various insects like butterflies, ants, bees,
ladybugs, snails, etc. with finger
paints.
·
Trees
:
Use Newspaper strips and paste
them on a piece of paper to make the bark of the tree. For the leaves , take a
sponge, dip in green colour and print on the sheet. Your beautiful tree is
ready !
·
Rainbow:
Kids love rainbows, Take
different rainbow coloured paper strips and paste on the sheet of paper in the order of rainbow colours. The kids will
learn the rainbow colours and will enjoy too.
·
Early
Math Actvities :
Take pebbles or sticks, ask him
to count. Or make butterflies on a piece of paper and ask him to count. Make
8-9 ladybugs on a sheet of paper and draw different number of dots on each
ladybug. Ask him to count the dots on each ladybug.
You can try these activities
with your child when he is two years and above . Have you tried any nature
activities with your child? Do share in comments.
I think it's very important for children to be with nature. They get a broader picture of the world around us and what sustains us.
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally, I have blogged on the same word for N!
be close to nature and you will learn lot of things. kids love rain , leaves and they are eager to play with everything around them
ReplyDeleteNature has much to teach all of us, especially children. I agree with all your pointers.
ReplyDeleteNoor
This nature and learning from the kitchen I think are the most satisfying lessons we can give our kids.Your list is extensive and wonderful.
ReplyDeleteA connect with nature is very important. It keeps you calm and also you have lots to learn. Lovey ideas as always
ReplyDeleteI loved all your nature activities a lot. Nature learning even develops a bond with your natural surroundings too. I'm a nature person and so are my kids, as my kids are lil grown up so in their age we go for walks, treks, and even try to understand and search for varieties of flora and fauna around us.
ReplyDeleteWe did vegetable printing yesterday with Okara and potato. Will try some activities suggested by you too.
ReplyDeleteYour post has reminded me mine last year's a2z series and I had also shared nature crafts for kids as "N". yes, nature had lost of benefits for our physical and mental health and it is always good to spend time in nature with kids.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, it's important that are kids understand and love nature. You have mentioned easy and interesting activities.
ReplyDeleteNature play is so exciting and this is the best time to engage them
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you Simrit, nature make kids learn various things effortlessly, as summer starts to approach I started to renovate my patio garden, thanks for sharing interesting activities,
ReplyDeleteArchana Srivastava
U listed some amazing activities kids must do. I am yet to try scavenger hunt though
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you... connecting with nature is of utmost importance
ReplyDelete