Читать книгу Fun Start: An idea a week to maximize your baby’s potential from birth to age 5 - June Oberlander R. - Страница 68

 an awareness of the outside world

 an awareness of the colours green, yellow, blue and white

 vocabulary enrichment

 enhancement of the sense of touch

 skill in associating what is found outside and in a book

Borrow several books from the early childhood section of the library. The books should have some pictures of trees, flowers, birds and houses. Read and talk about the pictures and tell the child some things that are found outside. It will be beneficial if you can take the child outside after you read one of the books and point out some things that are found outside that you read about.

Walk outside with your child on another occasion and go near a tree. Touch the tree and talk about how tall and big it is. If possible, pluck a green leaf from the tree and let the child feel it. Tell the child that the leaf is green.

Look at the grass and tell the child that grass is green also. Allow the child to feel some blades of grass, and make the child aware that the tree is much taller than the grass. Look up and down at the tree so that the child will understand what you mean by the word‘tall’.

Show the child some flowers if they are in bloom. The child should be allowed to touch and smell the flowers, but she should also be told not to pick flowers without permission. Make the child aware that trees, grass and flowers all have green leaves.

Go to a place outside where some soil is visible. Take a stick and dig a little to loosen it. Let the child dig too if she wishes. Encourage the child to feel the soil and tell the child that trees, grass and flowers live in the soil.

Show the child the roots of some weeds if possible. Let the child feel the roots and observe the root hairs. Tell the child that roots soak up water and minerals for the trees, grass and flowers to help them to grow, and that roots also hold the plants in the ground. Make the child aware that trees, grass and flowers are living things.

Pick up a rock and tell the child that a rock is not living. Also say,‘Soil helps living things to grow, but it is not a living thing.’ Do not expect the child to understand all of this.You are making the child aware of her environment. This should stimulate the child to think.You can divide this activity up and talk about one new thing outside every day, or you can combine two things and talk about them.

At another time during the week, read and look at a book about trees, grass and flowers. Can your child recall anything that you saw, felt or talked about outside? Does the child recognise and recall the colour green?

Observe the birds outside. Naturally, the child will not be able to feel them; however, you may find a feather and allow the child to feel it. Talk about birds and tell the child that birds are different colours. Explain where they live and describe their nests, eggs, habits and how they move.Your discussion will depend on the child’s interest.

Continue your discussion of things outside only when the child appears receptive. Point out the yellow sun, the blue sky and the white clouds. Caution the child about looking directly at the sun. She should know that this could damage the eyes. At night you can talk about the moon and stars. Do not expect her to be an authority on what is outside. At this age the activity is for awareness; children are curious about their natural surroundings.