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.