Finding Symmetry in Nature

Symmetry Is All Around Us

Symmetry is all around us in summertime. Children are fascinated with insects, flowers and other natural objects that are symmetrical.  This is an opportunity to talk about some math concepts and make beautiful symmetrical objects in nature.

  There are two main types of symmetry: rotational and reflection. When children point the top or bottom of pine cones at their nose they can see that both sides of the swirl or rotation are the same.  If children look at a butterfly and cover one half going north and south, they will see both sides are the same (reflection). If they place a little mirror down the center (going north and south) they will see the reflection is exactly like the other half.

Collect Nature

  When families go on car trips or hikes they can collect symmetrical clam shells, leaves, flowers, rocks, insects, or take close up pictures of them.

Two Main Types of Symmetry

Point out to children that their bodies and shadows are symmetrical, too. Is their house symmetrical? Look at family pets. When they are observed at certain angles are they symmetrical? 

 This easy art project is another way to play with symmetry. Gather some drinking straws to use as eye droppers for colors of poster paint, markers, sheets of paper, small stones, or art jewels.

  Help children fold a paper in half either the long way or short way. Open the paper and drop several colors of paint from the straw “eye droppers” onto one half of the paper next to the fold line. Children can now fold the paper over the paint. Rub gently over the paper to blend the colors. Open the paper and talk about the “blobby” shape that has appeared. Point out that what is on one side of the fold is also on the other side of the fold. Look for the symmetry.

Symmetry Search

  While the paint is drying, search for symmetry in leaves, flowers, pine cones, insects, and other objects in your own back yard. Children often enjoy taking 

 Close-Ups of Insects on Flowers

close up pictures of colorful insects on bright flowers that are also symmetrical. Use a magnifying glass and study some insects or spiders you find. Talk about what makes them spiders and insects the same and different.

  Once the paint is dry children can use markers to add antennae, wings, eyes and legs. To make the new insect even more beautiful children may want glue on craft jewels. They can name the new insect and put it on display.

  Some books about symmetry include: “What is Symmetry in Nature?” by Bobbie Kalman and “Is it Symmetrical?” by Nancy Allen. 

Photos: Fran Darling - fdarling fotos

  For more science and math STEM adventures go to -  grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com and wnmufm.org/Learning Through the Seasons live Tuesdays at 4:30pm and Saturdays at 8:30 am and pod casts archived on the site.

Family Treasure Hunts in Museums

Museums Have Treasures

Many families stop at local museums while traveling.  They are a fine break from riding in the car.  These museums often have treasures and a flavor of the area and its past.  However, young children often want to go through like they do most everything—fast.  While older children and adults may want to take time to read and do interactive exhibits.

  A very easy game takes no preparation, slows everything down a bit so everyone can enjoy the experience, and provides something to discuss in the car while resuming the 

Make Sketches of Favorite Displays

trip.

  You will need a spiral notebook and pen for each family member or team of a very young child with an older child or adult.

Family Meeting

  You can set the ground rules of museum politeness and respect: Find at least five exhibits you find interesting. Use soft indoor voices.  WALK around.  Do not touch exhibits or artifacts unless invited by signs. Ask questions of guides. Do not enter roped off areas. Meet at a certain place at a designated time. When leaving, everyone 

Ask Questions of Guides

thanks the museum personnel for what they do.  The guides might enjoy seeing some of the children’s sketches.

  While looking around each family member or team makes a “Find Five Artifacts” game.  Make a sketch and write words that will help another member find the five artifacts when they meet with one other person/team and switch sketches.  When the other members find the artifact, they must read the sign, find the use of the item and be ready to explain its part in history or tell its story.

Share History

Native American Displays Show Our Past

For example, there might be a solar compass in an exhibit about the discovery of iron ore.  They may be a wigwam and display of wool blankets Native Americans traded for furs with the Europeans.  What do the lines stand for?  Sometimes there are two or three, long or short.  What is the meaning?

  Meet others twice and exchange games.  Members will have written answers and notes on a separate piece of paper. Share a bit, but save the most for the car trip.   

  Before leaving, each member may pick one exhibit to share with the family and play the part of a docent/explainer.

  Usually no pictures are allowed inside museums, but take a picture outside the museum and make a note of the address.

Back home Grandparents will enjoy the

Share Information About a Favorite Activity 

sketches and listening to children tell about their museum adventure.  Children will learn how to visit a museum and to take time to observe.  They will learn that visiting a museum is not a race. There are treasures inside. 

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos from: Fort Michilimackinac and Marquette Regional History Center

More Vocabulary Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores. For more help to prepare young children for success, check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio, 90; Youtube 

Counter Top Backup Bubbles

Bubbles--Indoor Science Activity

 Whenever it is too hot, too cold, too rainy, or too dark for outdoor bubbles, this indoor science activity helps young children learn to ask questions, make predictions and blow huge indoor bubbles with a minimum of fuss or mess. 

  You will need Dawn dish detergent, water, plastic straws, measuring tape, a water resistant counter top or cookie sheet, and towels to clean up.

Making Bubbles

  Clean a counter top and wet it with a

Wet Counter-top-Add a Few Drops of Detergent

 puddle of less than 1/8 cup of water.  Place 3-5 drops of dish detergent on the puddle and spread around with your hand (fingers curved) until you have some small bubbles. 

  Wet the tip of a straw in your bubble solution and gently place that tip at a 45-degree angle where the bubble meets the counter. 

   Slowly blow into the small bubble. 

Gently Blow Into the Soapy Puddle

The bubble will enlarge as long as the bubble stays in the soapy solution. Bubbles can reach a foot or more in diameter.

 Soap solution molecules link together. When children blow air into bubbles, the soap solution stretches and surrounds the air. We see bubble colors when light is bent similar to a rainbow. 

  To make smaller bubbles inside larger bubbles, dip the straw in the table solution and gently blow inside the larger bubble. 

  At first no one will get a bubble, and suddenly your counter top is full of bubbles. 

 Practice making bigger and bigger bubbles. When they pop, measure the diameter of the bubbles edge to edge through the center.
Refresh solution

   If the solution stops working, add more solution or more water until you get many small bubbles when you swish it around with curved fingers. if the solution is white when you spread it around clean up and start over. 

   What colors do you see in the bubbles? What color does a section of the bubble become the moment before there is a hole and that section bursts? (red, the thinnest part of the bubble skin)

Ask Questions, Experiment, Have Fun!

Who can make the most bubbles inside a larger bubble?  Can you move the bubble? Can you join it with another bubble? Predict what will happen if you move the bubble to a dry spot. Can you pick it up in your hand? Can you carefully place your soapy hand inside a bubble and keep blowing to surround your hand? 

  Teach very young children (age two) to blow OUT gently.  They will generally like to burst bubbles rather than make them.  Give them a cup or large bowl with solution.  

They will enjoy making bubble volcanoes or dipping their straw in the solution and making small bubbles in their hand or in the air.

By Jean Hetrick

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

More Vocabulary Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’

website: Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio, 90; Youtube 

Tempting Kids with Picky Palates

Add French Toast to a Picky-Eater's Menu

 Families can add French toast to eggs, egg sandwiches, pancakes, and fruit smoothies in their search for nutritious recipes for picky eaters.   Since a traditional breakfast is now served as any meal, French toast is a good choice to get protein, fruit, and even vegetables into young children.

  The basic recipe to keep in your bag of childcare tricks is three slices of bread (whole wheat, nine grain or other nutritious bread), one egg and ¼ cup milk, soymilk, or almond milk. Some people add a half-teaspoon vanilla or pumpkin spice. Whisk the eggs and milk until well combined. Children will enjoy helping.

   Dip each slice of bread on both sides until the bread is soaked with the egg/milk mixture. Spray a nonstick fry pan with a pan spray and preheat the pan on medium to medium /high heat. Cook in the pan 2-3 minutes on each side until golden and they separate easily from the pan.  The edges should be a little crispy.

  Serve plain or with a little butter or powdered sugar.  

Healthy Ingredients for Cooking Ease 

Children can make a little puddle of syrup for dipping pieces of French toast.

Getting Fancy

  Add fresh whole or mashed blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, black berries, bananas, peaches, jam, jelly, a few chocolate chips, any nut butter, cinnamon sugar, vanilla yogurt, or a little canned whipped cream for sleepovers or other special occasions. As with many foods French toast can metamorphose into a sugary dessert that leaves nutrition behind.

  Some children like their French toast as long sticks for easy dipping. You may also cut day old French bread into large cubes.  They are a bit fussy to cook, but can be stacked on a plate like building blocks or pyramids for toddlers who like finger food.  It is a great way to get eggs into very young children. Bread can also be cut into circles, hearts, and triangles before soaking.

Being Creative

  To make French toast Nutella sandwiches.

Add Spices and Toppings for More Appeal

 Use eight slices of ay old bread, three eggs, and ¼ cup milk. Spread 4 slices with Nutella and top with the remaining slices. Whisk and soak as above. Fry in butter or a spray coated pan and serve when slightly cooled.

  To make French toast rollups cut off crusts and flatten bread with a rolling pin or plate. Cover with peanut butter or Nutella, roll, and soak in the egg mixture. Add a raspberry or strawberry piece at each end of the roll. Fry and turn until golden brown on all sides. Sprinkle with more berries.  

  Grated cheese, potatoes, carrots and other vegetables may also be sprinkled on soaked French toast before frying for an interesting and delicious veggie version.  For more ideas for young children see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com or wnmufm.org/ Learning Through the Seasons live and pod casts.
photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

More Vocabulary Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’

website: Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio, 90; Youtube