Meet the Trees
Trees are all around us and are an important part of nature, even in big cities! You can help your child learn about trees and the animals that use them by exploring your backyard or neighborhood.
Before You Play
Explain to your child that trees are plants that have characteristics and needs in common with all living things. Ask your child what these needs might be. Do trees eat? Drink? Trees also provide habitat for animals, some of which have physical characteristics adapted for moving in trees. Can your child think of any animals that live or move in trees, either near your home or elsewhere? Why does your child think squirrels or monkeys can move so quickly in trees?
Materials
Directions
Choose a couple of trees in your backyard or neighborhood to explore with your child. Depending on where you live and the time of year, you may spend a few minutes enjoying the shade from a tree, looking at colored foliage, or collecting pods and nuts. Take a pad of paper and pencil with you so your child can make sketches of the trees and animals and write down questions or ideas.
Ask your child to describe the size, shape, and color of a tree from a distance. Can your child mimic the tree’s shape with their body?
Move closer to the tree, and look at its parts: leaves, twigs, branches, nuts, seeds, etc. Ask questions like, "What words might you use to describe this?"
Encourage your child to try drawing the tree and its parts.
Invite your child to be an animal detective by looking and listening for insects, birds, squirrels, or other animals that live in or visit the trees. Look for birds' nests and listen for bird calls. Ask questions like, "Why do you think the squirrel/caterpillar/bird likes to be in the tree?"
Encourage your child to draw the tree and animals observed moving in or near the tree using the “My Tree Observation” printable. Help your child to write down descriptions of the tree and animals observed.
Try doing this again at different times of day and year! What is different about the trees you and your child see? What is the same? Do you see any new animals?
Science