Our Blog: A Collection of Resources: April 8, 2024
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Earth Day takes place on April 22 each year. Traditionally, Earth Day is celebrated to recognize the achievements and goals of environmental conservation, raise awareness of continuing environmental needs, and honor the natural resources and beauty of our home planet
Earth Day provides an opportunity to recognize, teach, and learn about natural resources and to share compassion for all living things. Honoring Earth Day helps children to respond thoughtfully to the environment, increase their awareness of personal contributions, and appreciate their surroundings.
Let nature spark curiosity.
It’s important for children to embrace discovery, connection, and imagination. In doing so, children develop an understanding of the natural world, observe living things with care, and learn to respect and look after the environment. Let’s explore the great outdoors and be inspired by nature!
- Discuss water conservation and ways to recycle or compost
- Talk about environmental causes and advocacy
- Discover patterns and colors found during a nature walk
- Explore your backyard or community and how nature shapes your view
- Study the seasonal changes in trees and talk about how they grow
- Observe birds and their nests as they prepare for spring
- Learn about animal habitats and other living things to give garden friends a happy home
- Make a bug hotel to give garden friends a happy home
Expand your world with books.
Children’s literature can be a fantastic way to develop a closer relationship with nature too. Here are a few ideas to get you started on Earth Day:
- What’s in Your Pocket? Collecting Nature’s Treasures by Heather L. Montgomery
- The Secret Signs of Nature by Craig Caudill
- Thank You, Earth: A Love Letter to Our Planet by April Pulley Sayre
- Nature is an Artist by Jennifer Lavallee
Engage in outdoor activities.
Connectedness and appreciation of nature occur when you invest time in simply being outside. To celebrate and honor Earth Day, engage in out door activities to enrich your child's perspective.
- Play in the dirt and see what you find. Select an area where your child(ren) can safely dig, play, and get messy. Add different digging tools, water, and buckets to support a greater sensory experience. Document worms, bugs, and other living creatures observed.
- Go on a nature walk and journal about your discoveries. Collect natural materials or photograph what you see. Ask your child to describe their experience and interests. Create a simple journal recording textures and patterns found in the environment. Try adding a rubbed print of certain objects. Draw what you see! This journal could be added to over time.
- Practice gratitude for living on Earth. What are you thankful for? How can we honor and celebrate our planet? Gather art materials and an assortment of paper. Talk about how we appreciate Earth and all the different experiences it offers. Invite your child to illustrate or write their thoughts. Tag us in your photos!
