Preschoolers scavenge for the alphabet in outdoor classroom

To support the local Leave No Child Inside initiative of the greater Barrington and Lake Zurich area, Noah’s Ark Preschool and Citizens for Conservation partnered to explore nature at the preschool’s certified outdoor Nature Explore classroom.

Children and caregivers were in winter garb as sleet, snow and high winds swept over the outdoor space. This didn’t deter even the 2-year olds as they went about searching for nature-related items beginning with the letters of the alphabet.

Would the participants find a grub, a leaf, a vine, or even a Quercus? The grub was elusive, but everyone was thrilled to enjoy an earthworm slithering in his hand. Students safely placed the worm under the mulch where they found him. All enjoyed finding acorn and black walnut hulls, feeling the sharpness of a pine needle, the roughness of bark, and hearing the beautiful sound of the pebble harp.

Participants welcomed the indoor warmth while making pine cone bird feeders to attract many species of seed eating birds to their backyards. Upon completing their project, all learned about Noah’s Ark, CFC, and Leave No Child Inside and how they can enjoy additional nature-related outdoor activities.

CFC’s youth class and camp information can be found at www.citizensforconservation.org, and details about the local Leave No Child Inside initiative are found at www.funoutside.org.

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