Naturally Educational » Senses
Pancakes from Scratch
At another Mommy & Me at Garden of Eve, Eve led us in picking wheat, threshing the wheat to separate the grain from the chaff, grinding the wheat (in a blender..though my kids have stone-ground grains at some local colonial-themed events), stirring in the eggs, sugar, baking powder, and milk, and frying up the pancakes. Unless you have a field of wheat growing in your backyard, you may need to take a few shortcuts–but making a … Read entire article »
Filed under: 0-3 (Babies and Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), All Ages, Bodily-kinesthetic, Featured, Home Arts, Taste
Jam, Jelly, and Preserves
We have the good fortune to live near an organic farm (Garden of Eve) owned by young parents. The mom runs a summertime “Mommy & Me” that includes a circle time and a farm “chore”. One week the children picked blackberries and turned them into jam! The process was fairly simple: Pick the berries Wash and dry the berries Meanwhile, sterilize glass jars in boiling water Crush the berries in a bowl Add mixture to a pot and pour … Read entire article »
Filed under: 0-3 (Babies and Toddlers), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), All Ages, Ecology, Featured, Home Arts, Science, Summer, Taste
She’s Like a Rainbow
March is a great time for learning about the weather, including rainbows! Kids love rainbows with their bright colors and mystery–and there is plenty of opportunity for scientific exploration! With our preschoolers, we made dyed pasta rainbows. We also gave the toddlers in our group the option of making the craft with fruity cereal o’s on paper–but this generally resulted in them just eating the cereal! Materials: Rotelle (Wagon Wheel) Pasta Food Dye Wax Paper Cotton Balls Glue Thread (for hanging) Dye the … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergartners), Art, Science, Sight, Spring, Weather
Deliciously Educational – Maple Sugaring
If you live in certain regions of the United States or Canada, March is a perfect time for an outdoor activity that is as delicious as it is educational – Maple Sugaring! Find a local Maple Syrup Festival or take a road trip! If you are heading to Vermont, check out Find & Go Seek’s listings of Vermont Maple Festivals. My family headed to Benner’s Farm for their annual Maple Sugaring event. My children had an … Read entire article »
Filed under: All Ages, Ecology, Home Arts, Science, Smell, Spring
National Bird Feeding Month
As we reduce birds’ natural sources of food, they come to rely on our bird feeders, especially during the winter months. Like many children, my daughter is fascinated by birds–their spectrum of colors, array of tuneful songs, and familiar yet wild presence in our yard. We’ve read her books on birds, taken her to the bird rescue at the nature center, and fed our local feathered friends. In honor of National Bird Feeding Month, we went to a … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), All Ages, Ecology, Science, Sight, Sound, Winter
Jack-o-Lantern Candle Craft
October is my favorite month and it is not just because it is my birthday. I love the apple-picking, the leaves turning colors, butternut squash, and of course, Halloween. And nothing says Halloween quite like a glowing Jack-o-Lantern. My daughter made hers with some left-over tissue paper and a glass baby-food jar. We love crafts, especially ones made from natural or recycled materials but I’ll admit…we take shortcuts sometimes. Especially when I’m hosting a … Read entire article »
Filed under: 3-5 (Preschool), 3-5 (Preschool), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Fall, Sight
Cooking with Kids
Cooking with kids is a great activity. You can do it rain or shine. You use mathematics to measure and calculate and listening and reading skills to follow directions. Science helps you understand what is going on. Recipes may be seasonally or culturally themed and even provide fascinating insights into history or literature. And then there is the satisfaction of a job well done. Home baked goods can be shared, donated, or sold to raise money, … Read entire article »
Apple Pomander Craft
We’ve been on a bit of an apple kick here as harvest season gets into full swing in my semi-rural area. Here’s a fun activity that turns your apple pickings into a beautiful and fragrant craft: apple pomanders. Materials: 1 Apple Whole Cloves Spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ground Cloves) Sandlewood Oil or Orris Root (optional for additional preservation qualities) Ribbon (optional) Instructions: If you plan on using ribbon, you can also first mark off where the ribbon will go with tape, then add the cloves … Read entire article »
Filed under: 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergarten), 5-6 (Kindergartners), 6-8 (Early Elementary), 6-8 (Early Elementary), Fall, Home Arts, Science, Smell, Touch
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