Listen In Nature

Many children in this country have lost all understanding that they are part of nature and are connected to nature.We live so fearfully that children will be nabbed or will get hurt that we keep them inside and away from danger. But ultimately we are harming them far worse by robbing them of the experiences that can only be found outside in nature.

“To become stronger adults, kids need to be outside and allow their bodies to do what they’ve been designed for from the beginning. – Kacie Flegal, a chiropractor in Ashland, Ore., who specializes in pediatrics.

In college I studied Ornithology because I was obsessed with the film maker Peter Greenaway. His film A Walk Through H: The Reincarnation of an Ornithologist change my view of birds, film making and visual experiences.

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Some of Greenaway’s other best-known films include:  The Draughtsman’s Contract (1982), A Zed & Two Noughts (1985), The Belly of an Architect (1987), Drowning by Numbers (1988), and his most successful (and controversial) film, The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989) also include references to Ornithology, birds and nature.

As a parent this has me thinking about sharing a love for birds with my children and if I want to get them outside to listen more I can start with the sound of various songbirds. Doing this can really can teach a child about the diversity of the natural world.

Once you spend time outside listing for birds why not get creative?  Set up an outdoor creativity studio where you can build and make things! Go grab these Free plans to build a birdhouse for your own back yard from Ana White

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ADDED BONUS:

While building your bird house listen to some classic music inspired by birds.

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Play through cooking

Creative concoctions in the kitchen teach kids that play reaps rewards. How do you get kids interested in cooking? Start outside. Start in a garden or at an outdoor farmers market. The taste of a ripe strawberry, fresh from the garden, or lettuce picked at a local farm begins a conversation about seasonal offerings and how to use those items to produce creative meals.

Encourage kids to experiment. Allow for wonder and ah ha moments that only unique combinations can bring. What if a watermelon cube is combined with a chili pepper? Get playful in the kitchen and the efforts will fulfill all areas of STEAM, while kids measure, mix, create and build while playing and having fun!

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Check out Michael Turnbull Designs Watermelon and Serrano Chili Peppers Recipe

 

 

Laboratory5 Inc. is a small business based in Tempe, Arizona

Visit our website: Laboratory5       Follow us on Twitter: @lab5     Become a fan on Facebook: Laboratory5
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National Park Trust’s Kids to Parks Day

Today May 21, 2016 marks the National Park Trust’s sixth annual Kids to Parks Day. Visit a park in your neighborhood or nationally today! Celebrate the outdoors and all that nature has to offer.

If you have a 4th grader see America’s natural wonders and historic sites for FREE! Visit every kid in a park for more information.

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Parks are amazing American project that we can be intensely proud of and need to share the importance of maintaining and celebrating them with future generations. The only way to do that is to take the kids out and play!

National Park Trust National Kids to Parks Day Logo. (PRNewsFoto/National Park Trust)

While your visiting the National Park Trust’s site download some useful tools for exploring parks including these Activity Guides:

Activity 1: Exploring Federal Lands and Waters (PDF). This lesson teaches students why our country protects lands and waters.

Activity 2: Environmental Stewardship(PDF). This lesson shows students how to take care of lands and waters.

Activity 3: Our Nation’s Native Peoples(PDF). This lesson teaches students about the people who lived on this land before it was called the United States.

Activity 4: Citizen Science (PDF). This lesson helps kids learn about the difference between weather and climate.

 

Laboratory5 Inc. is a small business based in Tempe, Arizona

Visit our website: Laboratory5       Follow us on Twitter: @lab5     Become a fan on Facebook: Laboratory5
Contact Us at anytime – we’d love to hear from you