Just get outside

Today we went to Seward Park for a little nature hike. It was a lovely welcome especially since as we go off the bus the bus driver allowed the boys to pull the "next stop" bell several times each. We were the only ones on the # 39 at that point.

The Audubon Center was hosting craft activities inside to keep people warm and in preparation for the holidays. My boys loved the activity of making a reindeer out of a toilet paper roll. Just as we were finishing at that station the other kids from cooperative preschool and their parents arrived at the center. It looked like it might be a challenge to get everyone hiking. One of the kids was really wanting to go to the playground and not go on a hike and soon S. was ready to go play out on the playgroound too. However, we got everyone to go upstairs and hike out the back door of the center. I had brought a bag of finger puppets and had each child grab one out of a bag: holding a cozy robin, or bear, or wren seemed to help encourage the kids to think that there was a lot to see out in the woods and we started off.

The hike went well although we mostly saw signs of animals and not the animals themselves. When we got tired we did tree bark rubbings and this re-engaged drifters.

I think that creating a habit of hiking is probably what is best for wee ones. Then adults don't need to be so guiding, also kids develop confidence to investigate and scurry about.

We emerged from the woods to sprinkles and then sunshine- yet another reason to just get out of doors.

No stroller : Yet over a mile

Yesterday I realized that my 2 1/2 year old boys and I did our first no stroller, over a mile, walk. Typically I have always brought it as back up, but yesterday the sun was shining and we skipped out the door away from our house. All I know is that we may might be beginning a new era of hands free!

I realize I have not been writing as much lately. Mostly it is because I have been taking early childhood education classes and planning an outdoor preschool. I don't know if it will take off the ground as I do not have a location or a sponsoring organization, but I have a strong vision. Meanwhile, I am leading a nature play day for my cooperative preschool. I realize that I harbor insecurities about having the whole activity be out of door rain or shine. But, I think this fear is my own. Children would do just fine for one morning all out of doors. Secondly, it is my nature that I want to over plan.

Here is my brainstorm of how a rainy day walk in the woods could go with kids who have not spent a lot of time out of doors.

1) First I think I will bring a few puppet animals and ask the kids if they think we might find one of these? Ask them what we might find. I can bring the "inchanimal" sticks and see if we can find something each size.

2). Then we check if we are ready. Do we have on coats, mittens, boots, do we have dry socks, dry pants and a couple of layers? Do adults have: at least one first aid kit, hot cocoa or hot tea? snacks?

3). Then we just start hiking. If we find something interesting we can go look at it.
When we get to my favorite tree we stop and maybe sing a tree song.

The following ideas came from:
http://www.rifamiliesinnature.org/games-for-the-trails/

Games for the Trails

Use games, songs, and activities to keep your kids from getting bored or tired.

Distractions from simply trudging along in the woods will help your kids (and you) stay interested and motivated. Here are some ideas:

• Play “I Spy” or”20 Questions.”
• Sing your favorite songs or make up words about the hike to fit into a familiar tune.
• Count birds, flowers, or clouds.
• Search for anything that is blue (or red or yellow or…).
• Take turns using a camera to document the trip.
• Play the alphabet game: find something on the trail that starts with the letter a, then b, and so on.
• Create your own – or simply use or modify RIFIN’s – hiking scavenger hunt.
• Collect leaves, shells, rocks, or acorns – and then remember to return them before going home.
• Imagine you are living in the forest long, long ago and pretend to hunt or gather food.
• Bring paper and crayons to draw animals, plants, or favorite scenes. Older children might enjoy keeping a “nature journal” of your adventures together.
• Ask simple, open ended questions about objects in nature.
• Work together to make up silly poems or stories.
• Let children create their own games – they will most likely impress you!

Finally, my own mantra needs to be let the children lead! They will do a great job. Then, set this nature experience up as a regular play group time.