Good morning! It looks like another warm and possibly stormy day. Here are three invitations for preschoolers which can be adapted for indoor or outdoor exploration.
Outdoor/Large Motor Invitation: Tree adventure
This invitation can be offered outside or inside, it is linked to the other invitations for today which can be done indoors or outside as well. First, invite your child to go on a mini-adventure and select a tree. This can be done from inside, picking a tree they can see through the window, or by going outside and finding a nearby tree. Invite them to use all their senses to investigate the tree. What does each aspect of it look like? What do they smell? What do they hear when they are quiet? How does the bark feel? The leaves and branches? If you are inside or cannot get close to the tree, invite them to imagine these sensory experiences. What do they think/imagine this tree is like? What would they like to know about it?
Connecting/Social Invitation: Make something for a tree
After your child has spent some time observing and connecting with a tree, ask them what they think the tree might like as a gift. You might consider sharing some of the work of British sculptor Andy Goldsworthy with them as inspiration. You can find a short video here.
Fine Motor Invitation: Observational drawing/writing
Provide your child with some paper and a firm surface to write on such as a clipboard and a pencil or fine-line marker. Invite them to make some observational drawings of the tree they have selected. Invite them to look closely, like a scientist, to notice details. This type of drawing builds a related but slightly different set of skills from more free artistic drawing.
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