CELEBRATE SPRING WITH YOUR LITTLE ONES

4/8/2022

Spring is the perfect season to celebrate all the changes and growth spurts with your children.   The warm weather will allow you to take walks to chat about the tiny bugs, spring flowers, leaf buds on the trees, windy days and so much more.   You may even spot the odd elk or deer out and about, which will give you the perfect opportunity to chat about the birth of new animals in Spring. 

Set up a table outside for your children to add their collection of rocks and leaves:

• Get out the paper, paints, and glue and let them create paintings incorporating their leaves. 
• Get out an old shoe box and let them build their very own gardens with sand, stones and twigs.
• Get an old glass jar with a lid and let them make their own terrarium tree to stand on the inside of the lid.   Use some play dough to fix the twig onto the lid, then screw the glass jar back over their tree. Have your little one help with planting and watering, then return each day over several weeks to observe how the seedlings transform. As you play and explore, discuss the resources that are needed for seeds to grow — like soil, water and sunshine
• Cut up an egg tray into individual cups and let them fill each cup with some potting soil.   Place a seed or bean into each cup and let them water them.  Tomato and basil seeds are great growers.   Have your little one help with planting and watering, then return each day over several weeks to observe how the seedlings transform. As you check in on the daily progress, discuss all the helpful resources that are needed for seeds to grow — like good soil, regular water and lots of sunshine.
• While they are crafting, make up a batch of pink lemonade and use the opportunity to discuss all the changing colors from winter to spring and summer.   Let them draw something using Spring or Summer colors.

Going for walks with your children can turn into exciting games of color spotting or searching for  things starting with a letter in the alphabet. 

Set up a new hummingbird feeder and use it as a learning moment all about the different hummingbirds and their migration.   Bird feeders can also be hung up and chat about the different food choices of birds from seeds to fruit.

Freshen up your child’s book collection ready for summer reading under the trees.   There are so many great books out for all age groups. Here is just one great suggestion:

It Just Blooms Paperback

by Deanna Chesley  (Author), Roksana Oslizlo(Illustrator)