Maybe you could even do this after a walk to your nearest library for some new reads. On the next pleasant day, why not find a cozy spot outside and unwind with a good book. When I was a 2nd-grade teacher, my kids loved to take their independent reading books outside, sit on the playground equipment and read. Use our alphabet chart to guide your walk.-> Get the ABC Printable Chart here. A-alley, B-bark on a tree, C-cumulus clouds, D– dog, and so on. Search the neighborhood for things that begin with each letter of the alphabet. Of course, sidewalk chalk also works great for this activity. If it’s really warm outside, your words will disappear like magic. Children can “paint” words on the sidewalk or if you have a brick surface that works even better. Time to study spelling or sight words again? Gather a bucket with water and a paintbrush (the big painter kind- not the little watercolor brushes) and head outside. This book is great for vocabulary development. Hopping, clumping and clomping, leaping, skipping, jumping, stamping, shuffling, and creeping are just some of the great words children will learn the difference between in this super cute tale. Hello Toes! Hello Feet! by Ann Whitford Paul is another action story. Children can even create their own version of a We’re Going on a _. Children can pretend to swish through the grass, splash through the water, squish squash through mud, and tiptoe through a cave all while searching for a bear or lion. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury and We’re Going on a Lion Hunt by David Axtell are two repetitive tales that beg for some action movements outside. There are so many great adventurous picture books that can be acted out in your backyard, in a park, or on a playground.

How about this one that predicts the first letter of your future sweetheart? I remember having great fun with this type of rhyme when I was young. The book, Anna Banana Jump-Rope Rhymes by Joanna Cole has over 50 pages of rhymes to chant. Sing a rhyme while jumping and now you also have a great literacy workout.

Jumping rope is a great physical exercise. She framed each letter and then attached a magnet to the back of each frame. My mom created the art above to spelled our family’s last name. Develop the pictures (black and white looks best) and create word art such as a child’s first name, a family’s last name, or an inspirational word. Grab a digital camera and hunt for letters in nature. Try some of Cohen’s ideas or find some inspiration below to enjoy the outdoors with children during every season of the year. I was inspired to brainstorm some other outdoor activities that could promote literacy. As fall rolls around, let your kids do their homework outside or collect some vegetables or herbs from a garden and then follow a recipe to create a dish. In April, try gathering sticks and twigs to create your ABCs or words. In January, she encourages you to keep a nature journal or do some star-gazing with a guide-book such as The Kids Book of the Night Sky by Ann Love and Jane Drake. Though the book’s primary purpose isn’t about developing literacy outdoors, she does offer several suggestions for doing just that. Don’t miss out on the great benefits of the outdoors such as sunshine, fresh air, and physical activity.Ĭohen offers 365 ideas of activities to do with kids outside. In this age of technology, we tend to spend more time indoors and less time outside exploring nature. Cohen is a goldmine of simple ideas to promote outdoor togetherness with children during every season of the year. Inspiration for Spending More Time Outsideįull Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.ġ5 Minutes Outside- 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kidsby Rebecca P. Yes, you can learn about the alphabet, writing, phonological awareness, and more in the great outdoors with these early literacy activities. Not only is being outside good for our health, but it is also all good for our learning.

Garden story physical