Nature Study in Early Childhood

2009-12-28T16:08:00.002-05:00

Our pumpkin plants are flowering. This photo was taken on Dec. 18th. So far, only male blossoms but we'll keep watching for female blossoms and pumpkin berries. The Center is closed for the holidays so we'll see how the plants fare with limited attention.

Now that the leaves have fallen, what can we see in the trees?

2009-11-12T11:48:00.003-05:00

We have had some nice sunny autumn days here in the Cleveland area and the other day as I was getting into my car I stopped for a moment to look up at the beautiful sky. As I looked up, I noticed the beauty of the bare trees against the blue sky and then I noticed something else!... A bird's nest. We often help children notice the beautiful falling leaves and the different colors and raking leaves is another fun activity we can do with children. However, in the autumn season we tend to focus on what falls to the ground rather than what is left in the tree. Seeing this nest helped me realize that we might be able to see MORE in the tree now that the leaves are gone. We can take children for a walk to notice what is left in the tree. How many nests can we find? Are they all the same? Are they different? What kind of bird or animal do we think lived or still lives in that nest. How is the nest made? What else do we see in trees in the autumn when all the leaves have fallen?

Sowing Pumpkin Seeds in October?

2009-11-12T11:10:00.004-05:00

Many preschool classes use the month of October or the fall season to learn more about pumpkins. We can cut the top off a pumpkin to view the inside fibers and seeds. We can cook the pumpkin to make pies, cakes or cookies. We can also plant some pumpkin seeds. This year in the Parent/Child Resource Center I sprouted some old packaged pumpkin seeds to test their germination. I began by placing several seeds in a wet paper towel. I folded the paper towel and placed it in a plastic Ziploc bag. After about a week, I opened the bag and carefully unwrapped the paper towel. Several seeds started to sprout. I placed these in the science area with some pots, soil and a scoop. The children scooped soil into a pot, made a small hole in the soil with their finger and placed one of the sprouting pumpkin seeds into the soil. Next, was to cover the seed with a bit more soil. Lastly, the children watered the seed. The first photo shows the seeds after being in the soil for one week. The second photo shows the sprouts after two weeks. We have these under the grow-light and we will see what happens. How long will the pumpkin vines grow? Will they get pumpkin flowers? Will they get pumpkins? We will wait and see!

Landscaping with the Gardeners in Summer Camp

2009-10-25T08:55:00.006-04:00

The children that attended garden camp this summer helped with some simple landscaping. The group worked together to create a border around the lettuce, beans, summer squash and sweet potatoes. After pounding in all of the edging, they worked to spread the mulch.
Notice the slight curves in the edging as they carefully made sure not to impose on any of the vegetables. Proof that careful observation is important when working in the garden. What is so nice about this activity is that as the children work with the rubber mallets to pound in the edging, it brings them closer to the soil where they notice all sorts of bugs, which become an important part of this project. We always take time to stop to look at what others have noticed and discovered. The children learn to be respectful of the insects that we find and we talk about whether what we found is a beneficial insect or maybe one that is not so good for the garden. We don't kill any of the insects but we do recognize that some bugs (and slugs) will probably be helping themselves to some of our garden produce. All part of the learning process! The first photo is before the landscaping and the second photo is after.

Sowing Seeds

2009-03-30T21:22:00.000-04:00

When is the best time to engage children in the seed sowing process? With young children seeds can be started at your Science Center throughout the school year. Seed sowing should be thought of as an experimental process not as a task that succeeds or fails. If you provide soil and seeds children will naturally put the two together and the learning begins. Sowing seeds is the beginning of investigating the life cycle. Children learn early on that not every seed produces a sprout and there are many factors that influence this such as water, heat, light, soil, and disease as well as just the fact that some seeds don't grow. What is most important is that children are given the opportunity to be observers in the process and that they learn from every experience. At my Center we started cotton seeds in January. I provided fresh cotton bolls, the children pulled the seeds from the bolls, placed them in soil, under a grow light and on a heating mat and we now have several small cotton plants waiting to be placed outdoors in the garden. Who knew! Cotton does grow in Cleveland! In February we planted popcorn seeds. Yes, the seeds came from a bag of popcorn seeds purchased at the grocery store. Try it! March brought the sowing of kale and broccoli seeds in cell packs placed under a grow light. Many parents had questions about kale its taste and uses. Stay tuned for more photos, recipes and info regarding nature study in Early Childhood. Children learn much about seeds, plants, their environment and the life cycle of plants through seed sowing.