Go on a Nature Hunt!

With the weather warm and toasty, and you and your family heading outdoors, keep in mind that preparing your child for excellence in kindergarten math can be done anywhere, any time. The natural world is a string of math lessons, waiting to happen.

In this simple and social activity, children use size comparison skills to find objects in nature that are “bigger,” “smaller,” “longer,” “shorter,” “taller,” “wider,” and “narrower.” These concepts are not only important for kindergarten math, they also encourage children to become better scientific observers. So find a space to roam—a sandy beach, a wooded park, or a lakeside shore, all offer ample materials to help your child understand size comparison words.

• A large bag or sack, for example, an old pillowcase or grocery store bag
• A small bag or sack (you can use a paper lunch sack, or get something fancier at a party store)
• A set of template cards (provided)
• Five small objects. For example: a stone, a leaf, a stick, a shell, and a flower blossom.

1)     Invite your child on a nature treasure hunt. Give her the challenge bag (the small bag or sack, which should have the five objects inside of it) and let her know that her clues are tucked within. Then gather your collection bag and head out to an open space with plenty of nature to explore.

2)     When you arrive at your destination, pull out the set of template cards. Each one is marked with a comparison word: “bigger,” “smaller,” “longer,” “shorter,” “taller,” “wider,” and “narrower.” Shuffle the cards and ask your child to pick one. Read the card aloud. Then ask your child to reach her hand into her challenge bag, and pull out one object.