Page 3 - June 2017 Quarterly Newsletter
P. 3

JAMIE RATHBUN                                                 FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE

               Outdoor Play and Learning

               Instead of walking, playing ball, building tree houses, or making mud
               pies, technology is enabling children to engage in outdoor experiences
               without leaving the comfort of their own home. While we appreciate all
               that technology offers, it is important to remember the benefits of
               interacting with the environment:

                Outdoor experiences promote positive youth development, family
                   bonding, and a connection with nature.

                Children who engage in regular outdoor play are more likely to
                   demonstrate creativity, cooperation, concentration, problem-solving,
                   and effective communication.

                Time spent outdoors increases physical activity and fitness.
                The environment provides many opportunities to explore, question,

                   and develop theories about how things work.

Nature Journaling                                             Treasure Hunt
Go to your backyard, the park, or your favorite place         While going on a walk or playing in the
outside. What do you see? Hear? Feel? Taste? Smell? Write     yard, go on a treasure hunt. Check items
a poem, collect items to press into your journal, or draw     off your list as you find them.
what you experience.
                                                                   Forked stick
Story Time                                                         White, grey, or black bird feather
Read books that encourage learning about gardening, nature,        Pine cone
and outdoor activities. Read outside and try to find items         Earth worm
from the story in your own yard. Create an outdoor drama           Grasshopper
for the whole family to enjoy.                                     Seeds from a vegetable or flower
                                                                   Ladybug
Family Garden                                                      Frog or toad
‘Grow’ memories in your family garden. Plant a garden in           Moss
your windowsill or in the backyard (whatever works best for        Wooden gate
your family). Gardening provides hands-on-activities where         Rabbit hole
kids can practice responsibility while learning about food         Butterfly
and nutrition. Together you will work toward a common              Bird
goal and produce your own meals! Get creative with your            Plant with fuzzy leaves
gardening by planning a theme garden for pizza or salsa.           Squirrel
                                                                   Hole in a tree trunk
Outdoor Exploration Toolkit                                        Shiny, smooth stone
Put together a toolkit and always be prepared to enjoy the         Yellow flower
great outdoors. Items to include: water, hat, sunscreen, bug       Insect feeding on a plant
spray, camera, paper & pen, magnifying glass, binoculars,
bags or containers, compass, map, flashlight, butterfly net.
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