Earth and Sky

Young children are naturally curious about nature and the outdoor environment. When given the opportunity, they love to investigate earth’s materials — sand, dirt, water and rocks — look up and observe the sky and experience all types of weather. Four-year-olds notice variations in the properties of natural materials — rocks can have different colors, sizes, shapes, textures and weights — and that properties can change when materials are mixed — like water and sand, for example. They are aware of daily weather conditions, that weather changes from day to day, and they associate weather with related clothing and activities. Depending on their experiences, four-year-olds may notice changes in the position of the sun and moon, or in how the moon looks on different nights. They enjoy making and using tools for observing the weather and the sky more closely. The types of materials and weather you and your child observe will depend on where you live and the time of year. Wherever you are, as you investigate the earth and sky with your four-year-old, talk with them about what they see, hear, smell and feel outdoors. Introduce and use words — fine and coarse, damp and moist — that build their vocabularies and give them language to talk about what they are noticing and thinking about. Most of all, get outdoors with your child whenever you can throughout the year. And remember that when you let your child get messy — as they dig in dirt, jump in puddles and play in mud — you enable them to experience nature and the world around them to the fullest. You also give them the message that their explorations are important to you. You may notice that your four-year-old exhibits specific interests — in exploring water, observing the sky or building with natural materials, for example — so follow their lead! These experiences lay the foundation for your child’s later understanding of earth’s resources, earth as a home for all living things and earth’s place in a wider universe. Keep in mind that storms — especially thunder and lightning — can sometimes be frightening for young children. If that is the case with your child, read these parenting tips.