Get Outdoors This Spring
Jennifer J. Wheeler, Manager — WHYY's Children's Service
Even though we had a somewhat mild winter, we still had to pull out the rock salt, the shovels and watch the early news for school closings. It is comforting to finally start seeing the first buds of the season popping out.
Spring is here. This time of year brings new life to everything. Animals and plants start to appear again as though they never really went away. It is an exciting reminder that outside activities can resume and that the warmer summer months are on their way.
Have you considered how you will spend time outdoors with the kids this spring? Spring is a great time of year to introduce children to nature, wildlife and conserving the natural resources of our planet.
VIEW
It's a Big Big World is the first show of its kind. It uses the traditional puppetry with the newest computer animation to create "Shadowmation," a unique visual effect where the animals that are the main characters of the show appear to be three-dimensional. This exciting show airs on WHYY TV12 Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m.
On the show, the animal characters live together in the "world tree," which serves as a metaphor to teach children that although we are different, we can all live together in harmony.
DO
Spring is planting season. Visit a nursery and pick out a tree, shrub or flowers to plant together. Children love to watch the fruits of their labor grow. Sharing in this basic spring activity helps facilitate a love of nature and an appreciation for our natural resources; watching that new tree grow in the back yard can serve as a reminder to you of your children as they grow.
Challenge your children to a scavenger hunt. How many animals can you find? Do they make a sound? Can they fly or swim? Where do they live? Children love learning about animals and their different habitats and behaviors. Perhaps visit your local zoo. The Philadelphia Zoo is the oldest zoo in the nation and it is right in our own backyard! The zoo provides children with a bird's eye view of other living things in their environment. It can be an educational and fun day trip for the entire family.
WHYY will be at the Philadelphia Zoo on April 29th for It's a Big Big World for teachers and educators. For information about this event, please contact Children's Service at 215-351-1235.
Then, WHYY will return to the Philadelphia Zoo on May 19th with special guest Ms. Lori of PBS Kids. For more information visit www.whyy.org/kidsclub/.
READ
Here are some great books to share with the kids that encourage caring for our environment.
I Love Our Earth by Bill Martin Jr. (Charlesbridge Publishing, 2006, Pre K- Grade 1).
The Earth and I by Frank Asch (Gulliver Green, 1994, Pre K - grade 1).
Earth Day: Let's Meet the Earth Kids (Holidays and Heroes) by Barbara Derubertis (Kane Press, April 1993, ages 9-12).
Recycle! A Handbook for Kids by Gail Gibbons (Little, Brown Young Readers, 1996, ages 9-12).
50 Simple Things Kids Can Do To Save the Earth by The Earth Works Group (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 1990, ages 9-12).
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