Science explorations provide a wonderful context for helping children develop respect and concern for the outdoor environment and the living things that inhabit it.

As your child gets outside and observes birds finding food, examines flowers and the creatures that use them, and finds nuts hidden by squirrels, she is introduced to the idea that all living creatures depend on their environments to meet their needs for food, water, and shelter. This will help her begin to understand that the earth, as home to all kinds of living things, including humans, needs to be cherished and protected.

When you and your child are outside, encourage her to treat the environment and all the living things in the natural world with care and respect. Help her understand that if we disturb the outdoors too much, living things may not survive. When you are exploring, teach your child to observe and learn from animals and plants in their natural environment. If you do take a leaf or branch home to examine further or to use in a project, just take a small one.