The Preschooler

Be a Meteorologist

With all of the wild weather we have been witnessing across the globe, now is the perfect time to teach your little one the basics of meteorology.  I am not suggesting you need to go into wind streams and how to map a weather pattern.  However, even preschool children can enjoy learning about temperatures, precipitation, and clouds.  And, although they may  not use them correctly, a colorful map with weather symbols can also result in a budding meteorologist.

Use the internet to show your child a meteorologist in action or simply record a morning or evening news broadcast of a meteorologist describing the upcoming weather.  Visit web sites, such as http://www.weather.com/, to view maps, radars, and five- or ten-day forecasts.

Print out a weather map or simply hang a map of the United States on the wall.  Using a dowel rod or something to use as a pointer, demonstrate for your child how to pretend to be a meteorologist.  Be sure to change your voice and language to mimic that of a professional weather person.  Have fun with it, and make wild predictions.  (As an extended activity, read the book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, a silly story about food falling from the sky.)

Hand the pointer to your child, and help him to play the role as well.  Encourage him to talk as a meteorologist would even if the “predictions” are nonsensical.  If possible, set up a “studio” and record your budding scientist in action.

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Written by BRWI Staff on June 10, 2011