Nature Walks and Scavenger Hunts

 

One of the best ways to incorporate nature with young children is to go for a nature walk. A walk around the neighbourhood, forest trail or school yard is a excellent way to introduce the topic of nature. Based on prior knowledge children will be able to recognize things they have seen before, explore new objects, feel and can reflect with other classmates in small and large group discussions. According to the Full-Day Early Learning-Kindergarten Program children will be able to enhance their development in the areas of personal and social, science and language development.

Personal and Social Development

• 1.3 - express their thoughts (e.g., from finding a nature object on the walk)

Language

• 2.6 - use prior knowledge to make connections (e.g., lots of butterflies in the summer)

Science and Technology

• 3.4 - participate in environmentally friendly activities in the classroom and school yard (e.g., nature walks)

Another way to assimilate nature into the curriculum for young children is to have an scavenger hunt.

Description: Use a paper bag, small gift bag or even a zip-lock bag print words and put pictures of items and glue it onto the bag. Children can work independently or in pairs of two in collecting the items labelled on the bag.

• Children will be able to explore the environment while looking for the objects listed on their bags 
• During the hunt children will notice, wonder, observe and play with new things they find 
• After the hunt children can be put into small or large groups and share their findings

According to the Full-Day Early Learning-Kindergarten Program children will be able to:
Personal and Social Development

• 2.2 - demonstrate a willingness to try new activities and to adapt to new situations (e.g., participate in a new learning experience such as an outdoor scavenger hunt)
• 2.6 - use prior knowledge to make connections (e.g., relating to the nature walk they went on before)

Science

• 2.4 - communicate results and findings from individual and group investigations (e.g., explain what they found)