Play

Some people talk about play as if it were a relief from serious learning; but, for children, play is serious business.

It provides a way for them to express strong feelings about important events in their lives. Play gives children a chance to work out problems on their own, to cope with anxieties, and to prepare for life as an adult by pretending about being grown up.

Through play, children discover the world and learn more about themselves. -- Fred Rogers

Outdoor Activities

What Does a Cloud Look Like?

Encourage children to stretch their imaginations by lying on their backs on a day when there are clouds in the sky. Have them describe the shapes they see-maybe a bunny, a dragon, or a giant's face. Take turns pointing out what you see. Sometimes you will both see the same things, sometimes not.

Go Fly a Kite

This is a fun activity for children and adults to do together. Involve children in making their own kites--from gathering materials to going outside on a windy day to fly their creations. For suggestions, download The Berenstain Bears See, Think, Do Activity Guide, and see pages 46-47.

Fairy Houses

Where do fairies live? In your yard or in a woods, build a little house where fairies would like to visit. Use only natural materials like twigs, bark, leaves, flowers, feathers, cones, seashells, pebbles. They can be any shape you want. You might even want to construct some tiny furniture for inside.