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
I have often heard people joking about how toys today are so complicated and fancy, and how things used to be so much different when they were younger. Although I would have to agree that technology has changed the array of toys that are available to our youngsters, their imaginations are still intact.
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Written by Laura on February 16, 2011
My three-year-old has an imagination that goes non-stop. When his older brother isn’t home, and he is able to spend some time playing on his own, I love to listen to him taking control of the imaginary situation and playing all of the roles in whatever scene he has scripted in his mind.
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Written by Laura on January 5, 2011
Last week we had good friends of ours staying as guests for the week. One of the many positive aspects of our relationship is that they have two little girls the same exact ages (within weeks of each other) as our two little boys. Corresponding friendships formed the first time they all met each other, and, although we, as the parents, think it is a bit early, our four-year-olds are already plan
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Written by Laura on July 9, 2010
When I think back to my elementary school days, I can clearly remember being told to stop daydreaming. I was one of those students whom a teacher made a special point not to sit next to the door or, heaven forbid, the windows. I loved to stare at the clouds using my imagination to create pictures in the sky. Although my timing was not appropriate, encouraging a child to use their imagination ca
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Written by Laura on January 29, 2010
Children naturally have a lot of creative juices flowing through their little brains. Their imaginations often seem to be on overdrive, especially when we want or need them to be more grounded. Of course, it is usually best to let kids express their creativeness freely. However, it can also be very beneficial to help them harness their imaginations into something that is both fun and producti
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Written by Laura on May 15, 2009
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