Experience the Wonders of Wind
Introduce your child to the wonders of wind and how it can make things move.
Before You Play
Explain to your child that wind is moving air. Although we can tell when it is windy outside by objects moving around, we cannot see the wind it. We can use other senses to determine if the air is moving — we can hear it. We can feel it. Before going outside, look out the window and ask your child if she thinks it is windy. Follow up with, “Why” or “Why not?”
Materials
Directions
Go outside together. Stand so the wind blows in your face, then turn so it blows on your side, and then on your back. Talk about how the wind feels today. Ask your child if it blows steadily or does it stop and go? Is it a light breeze or strong gust?
With your child, find five things that are moving in the wind. Listen to the wind and imitate the sounds that you hear.
Have your child pick one of the items moving in the wind and mimic the movement with your bodies. Ask her to describe the movements—are they fast or slow, up or down?
Gather at least one item suggested in the Materials list. Let your child explore how wind makes it move. Ask her, “What is making this object move?” Encourage your child to find other ways to make each item that she has chosen move (blow on it, run with it, or twirl with it).
Invite your child to create a wind dance. Watch something moving in the wind, and describe what it looks like. Next, imitate the motion with your bodies. After doing this for several objects, string the movements together to create a dance!
Science