A nature study for preschoolers should be simple and hands-on. And look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more fun preschool tips and activities.
I have playdough which also makes for a great sensory experience. We’re doing a nature print playdough activity. You can either do this indoors or outdoors.
Besides, at this age, learning happens best through hands-on exploration and play.
Too, preschoolers learn by touching, pressing and squishing so this nature print playdough invites kids to press leaves, flowers, sticks and other things they find into soft dough.
Add some of the books above while they’re playing so they can compare pictures to what they have in their hands.
Comparing the shape of petals, the depth of the print, and texture like bumpy bark makes nature study concrete.
NATURE STUDY INTRODUCTION BOOKS FOR YOUNG LEARNERS
Next, look at some of these sweet books about nature study.
Before a child can jump into the skills needed for nature observation they need to understand what it is and how to do it.
10 Nature Study Books for Young Kids
Add these fun books to your home library or to introduce nature study to your little learners.
New York Times bestselling children's author and beloved birder, Jane Yolen, and her son, Adam Stemple, have teamed up to write this gentle tale of a father introducing his daughter to the joys of bird-watching using the "Crow, not Crow" method for distinguishing birds. Elizabeth Dulemba's delightfully warm illustrations bring the story to life.
Explore the great outdoors with this hands-on activity book for ages 6 to 12!
Track, explore, discover, and create! This incredible choice in nature books for kids is full of activities you can bring on your adventures through your backyard, the park, the woods, and beyond. No matter the weather or where you live, Exploring Nature Activity Book for Kids shows you how todive into fun and games like crafting bird feeders out of fruit, pressing flowers, or building a sundial to tell the time. Get ready to get your hands dirty and your imagination revving as you get active outside.
CALDECOTT MEDAL WINNER • A soothing, poetic picture book that lovingly depicts the relationship of a young child and her father alongside humankind’s relationship to the natural world. A verbal and visual treasure for the whole family!I had been waitingto go Owling with Pafor a long, long time.Late one winter night, a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird.But there is no answer.Wordlessly, the two walk along, for when you go owling, you don't need words. You don't need anything but hope. Sometimes, there isn't an owl, but sometimes, there is.
This picture book biography examines the life and career of naturalist and artist Anna Comstock (1854-1930), who defied social conventions and pursued the study of science. From the time she was a young girl, Anna Comstock was fascinated by the natural world. She loved exploring outdoors, examining wildlife and learning nature's secrets. From watching the teamwork of marching ants to following the constellations in the sky, Anna observed it all. And her interest only increased as she grew older and went to college at Cornell University. There she continued her studies, pushing back against those social conventions that implied science was a man's pursuit. Eventually Anna became known as a nature expert, pioneering a movement to encourage schools to conduct science and nature classes for children outdoors, thereby increasing students' interest in nature. In following her passion, this remarkable woman blazed a trail for female scientists today.
Discover the timeless magic of nature through Peter Rabbit's eyes in this enchanting educational adventure! The Burgess Animal Book for Children combines storytelling and learning in a way that has captivated young minds for generations.
This stunning edition features:- 54 vibrant color and 19 sepia-tone illustrations that bring the animal kingdom to life- Original unabridged text that has educated and entertained children since 1920- Chapter quizzes to reinforce learning- Bonus online quiz access for interactive engagement
Perfect for:- Young nature enthusiasts ages 6-12- Homeschool families seeking an illustrated North American wildlife book for their engaging science curriculum- Parents who want to combine entertainment with education
See the world in a whole new way with acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman's beautiful nature guide book.Nature Anatomy combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.Also available in Julia Rothman's Anatomy series – Nature Anatomy Notebook, Ocean Anatomy, Food Anatomy,Farm Anatomy, and Wildlife Anatomy.
Flowers, trees, fruits—plants are all around us, but where do they come from? With simple language and bright illustrations, non-fiction master Gail Gibbons introduces young readers to the processes of pollination, seed formation, and germination. Important vocabulary is reinforced with accessible explanation and colorful, clear diagrams showing the parts of plants, the wide variety of seeds, and how they grow. The book includes instructions for a seed-growing project, and a page of interesting facts about plants, seeds, and flowers. A nonfiction classic, and a perfect companion for early science lessons and curious young gardeners.
Fun with Nature helps kids discover the incredible world in their backyards. It is a compilation of seven bestselling titles: Caterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies; Frogs, Toads and Turtles; Snakes, Salamanders and Lizards; Rabbits, Squirrels and Chipmunks; Tracks, Scats and Signs; and Trees, Leaves and Bark. This entertaining book is filled with fascinating facts and awesome activities.
A touching tale of a grandmother and her granddaughter exploring and cherishing the natural world.Words, the woods, and the world illuminate this quest to save the most important pieces of our language—by saving the very things they stand for.When Mimi finds out her favorite words—simple words, like apricot, blackberry, buttercup—are disappearing from the English language, she elects her granddaughter Brook as their Keeper. And did you know? The only way to save words is to know them.• With its focus on the power of language and social change, The Keeper of Wild Words is ideal for educators and librarians as well as young readers.• For any child who longs to get outside and learn more about nature and the environment• A loving portrait of the special relationship that grandparents have with their grandchildren
Julia Rothman's series of Anatomy books are beloved by children and adults alike. In Wildlife Anatomy, Rothman captures the excitement and distinctive attributes of wild animals around the world. The book is packed with hundreds of her charming, original illustrations, detailing the unique features of animals of the rainforest, desert, grasslands, oceans, and much more. From lions, bears, and zebras to monkeys, mongoose, bats, elephants, giraffes, hippos, and much more, Rothman's visual guide covers all the key features, right down to the anatomy of a lion's claw and a wild horse's hoof. All the illustrations are accompanied by labels, intriguing facts, and identifying details, such as: When is a Panther Not a Panther? and What Makes Aardvarks So Odd? Rothman's characteristic combination of curiosity and an artist's eye makes this wildlife treasury rich and full, and promises new discoveries every time it's opened.
Then, look at more ways to do a fun nature study with preschoolers.
NATURE STUDY FOR PRESCHOOLERS ACTIVITIES
- A is for Apple Craft | Apple Study
- B is for Bird Craft | Bluebird Study
- Fun Bat Anatomy Toilet Paper Roll Craft | 8 Bat Science Activities Preschool
- Make Cute Felt Leaf Sachets For Fall Leaf Crafts for Preschoolers
- 10 Egg Carton Crafts For 2 Year Olds and Fun Nature Color Match Activity
- Fun Corn Life Cycle Preschool Sensory Bin and Printable Lifecycle Foldout
- Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play
- Frozen Nature Ice Sun Catcher for Preschool Play and Fun
- Inexpensive Preschool Winter Activities & Simple Winter Busy Book
- How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning
- Celebrate Snakes | How To Make A Fake Snakeskin Snake Craft Preschool
- Fun Preschool Beaver Craft: Simple Projects for Little Hands
- How To Make A Squirrel Nest Sensory Bin With Preschoolers
- Fun and Easy Preschool Hibernation Science Activities to Nurture LearningExplore the Magic: Easy Northern Lights Crafts for Preschoolers
Finally, look at how to do this nature print playdough activity.
NATURE PRINT PLAYDOUGH ACTIVITY
First, look at this list of supplies.
Supplies
- Playdough (any color or homemade)
- Variety of nature items like leaves, different sizes and shapes,flower petals, evergreens, seeds, nuts and cones, sticks and bark, rocks, shells and beach finds, feathers, hay and etc.
Give each child a portion of playdough and a flat work surface or tray.
Arrange the nature items so they are easily accessible.
Encourage children to press, roll, or lightly tap the items into the playdough to create imprints and textures.
Experiment with layering items, pressing with different amounts of pressure, or flipping items for varied patterns.
Once finished, the playdough can be smoothed out and reused to create new prints.
