Kids Love Learning Summer Symmetry

Leaves, flowers, bugs...look for symmetry

Insects and other bugs are all around us in summertime. Most children are fascinated with bugs and what they look like. This is an opportunity to make some funny looking bugs while talking about symmetry which means both sides are built exactly the same. You’ll need several eyedroppers, or straws to us as a pipette, colors of paint, markers, and sheets of paper. To make a pipette straw, dip a drinking straw in a liquid with your finger pressed tightly over the top hole. Take your finger off the top when you wish to empty the straw.

Making Symmetry

  First help your children fold a paper exactly in half. Open the paper and let them use eyedroppers to drop several colors of paint onto the center of the crease. With help, young children can fold the paper over the paint. Now they can rub gently over the paper to blend the colors. Open the paper. 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. Explain that this is symmetry.

  Nature is full of symmetry.  While the paint is drying, look for symmetry in leaves, flowers, bugs, and other objects in your own back yard. You can talk about what makes a bug an insect.  Discuss what an insect does with its antennae, wings and six legs.

  Once the paint is dry, encourage your children to use markers to add the antennae, wings, eyes and legs.  

Insects and Bugs are Everywhere in the Summer!

Together you’ve created a new bug so it needs a new name.  Help your children write the new name under the picture and then hang the picture where everyone can enjoy it!

Study Summer Bugs

 Use a magnifying glass and study some bugs you find. Talk about what makes them the same and different. Together see how many different bugs you can find. Help our children make a list of these bugs. Together discover the scientific name for a person who studies bugs. Visit the library to pick out some interesting books about bugs and enjoy them together. Use the computer and visit the National Geographic site to investigate more about bugs.

  Understanding symmetry helps children look very carefully 

Find Symmetry Everywhere in Nature!

at objects. You can also use the same technique to make more symmetries and use imagination to discover what else 

children see once the paper is unfolded. Children can use markers to add details to the picture. Together draw half a shape on the folded paper and then cut out shapes so that one side is the same as the other side. Talk about the characteristics of each shape. For more summer fun and learning see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com also wnmufm.org Learning Through the Seasons live and pod casts, Facebook, Pinterest, and You Tube.

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

Giving Children a Sense of Geography

Get a Glimpse of the Big Picture

   “Where do I live? Can you show me?”  

Map activities give young children a glimpse into the big picture of the world and where they live. It introduces maps and how to use them to find areas we find interesting or want to visit. 
You’ll need Google Maps Apps or paper maps from the local Chamber of Commerce or tourist center.

   Using maps of your local area locate children’s streets and some familiar sites like the library, grocery stores, parks, and museums. 

   Explain to children that that they live on this street, in their city. The next time they travel by car or walk to the park, show them their address number on their house, follow the map and route. You can program Google Maps to help you walk the route. Just follow the dots.  You can also compare the paper map with the Google Maps App. 

Google Maps or Any Maps Show WHERE

Another day bring out the state map or App and show children their area on that map. Using the state map, look for some sites they may have visited like lakes, rivers, and homes of relatives.  Children can help follow the paper map or App travel route on the next trip. They’ll have fun listening to the phone voice giving directions.

  Families can practice memorizing their street address, city, and state and talk about using Google Maps and finding different views.  The bird’s eye view is really fun for kids.  They can zoom in closer and closer on

 the App until they can see their roof top and even cars in the driveway.

   What does their favorite park look like from high above the trees? How does Google make these maps? Ask Google or You Tube the question.  There are great map explanations on line.

  Using a US map or Google Earth App point out a few places children may be curious about like Disney World, Washington D.C., mountain areas, rivers, and Great Lakes.  They can go to these sites and zoom in.

Get a Bird's Eye View

  Libraries have globes to show children that the earth is not flat like a map. Cheap blow up beach ball globes are also available on-line.

  Show children where Santa lives and the route he must take to their house. The North Pole can help children hold the globe correctly to find and name continents and countries.

  Interesting geography reading books for young children include David Scillian’s books, “P is for Passport: A World Alphabet” and “A is for America: An American Alphabet”; alphabet books for every state and for some countries. 

  The next time you’re playing in the sandbox with the kids  make a map of geographic features like mountains, rivers. islands, and peninsulas. For more see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com and wnmufm.org/Learning Through the Seasons live and pod casts, Facebook, and You Tube.
Photo: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos
Maps: Google

Keeping Children Safe in Summer

Summer Opportunities for Play

Summer has arrived!  Now there are many new opportunities for kids to enjoy outdoor play.  In your backyard, at the playground, or on walks in the woods, there are things to explore and challenges to meet. Although families can’t wrap children in giant protective cotton balls, there are some tips that will help keep young children safe and ease your mind.

1.Most importantly, toddlers and other young children need to be supervised at all times.

2.Be sure to dress for the weather and conditions.  Boots and umbrellas can be a lot of fun.

3.As the weather gets hotter, keep kids hydrated with handy water bottles for frequent drinks. 

4.In any type of weather, children should not be left alone in a vehicle.  Dangerous overheating can happen very quickly.

5.Talk with your pediatrician about the safe use of sunscreen and insect repellant for your child and allergies to insect bites.

6.Check your backyard and other play areas for trash, glass, sharp objects and animal waste.

7.Set up safety expectations with

Setup Your Safety Expectations

 your children and be consistent.  Example: “We always wear our helmets when we ride bikes.  We never play in or near the street.   We always hold a hand when we are in a parking lot or crossing the street. Stop. Look and Listen.”

8.In the car:  Establish safe routines which includes always using approved car seats and seat buckles.  Keep windows partially closed and doors locked in the backseat.

9.Near the water:  Never let young children play without supervision near pools, tubs or bodies of water.  Pool areas near the house should always be fenced and properly closed.

10.  At the playground: Be sure swings are made of soft material and that flooring is a cushioned surface.  Experts advise that preschool age children never climb on or use equipment that is more than four feet off the ground.  Teach children to play away from swings and from the bottom of slides.  Wash hands after playing in open sandbox areas because of possible animal waste.

 11. At parties:  Even simple fireworks such as sparklers can be dangerous for children. The tip can be as high as 2,000 degrees. While they look like fun, trampolines and inflatable bouncing play areas are often a source of injury.  

Supervision - Especially by the Water

12.  Be sure that children are not playing in driveways where they may not be seen if cars back up, or in areas where lawnmowers or weed whackers are being used. When cars back up hold their hands at a designated safe place at home. Thousands of young children are killed each year by family members backing up.

13. Children are supervised in public bathrooms and other public places.

 For family activities see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com or wnmufm.org/Learning through the Seasons, also Facebook, Pinterest, and You Tube.

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

Helping to Prevent Dog Bites to Children

78 Million Dogs in the US - Stay Safe!

There are about 78 million dogs in the United States. Chances are children either have dogs or will meet them often. The CDC records 4.5 million bites each year and sixty percent are to children under the age of 15 months. Each day about 1,000 people require ER care.

  Pet experts have recommendations to help keep children
and animals safe. Young children should never be left alone with any dog, even the most trusted pet. Children are scary. They have jerky threatening movements, little fists, and shrill sudden squeals. Older children can be trained and demonstrate competent dog handling skills, knowledge of canine communication, and share a long established relationship based on mutual understanding, love, and respect. 

Teach the Kids

  Families can educate children about how to behave and recognize bite risk situations. First, avoid any animals with no owner present. If a dog is tied up outside a door, keep walking no matter how cute, whether a stranger’s, a relative’s or friend’s dog.

  If the owner is around always ask, “Is the dog friendly? Does he like children? May my children pet him? How?”  Approach calmly with a flat hand only if his tail is wagging and he has a slightly open mouth, has a soft, relaxed, happy face, and a wiggly body.

Learn About Dog Behaviors

  If the tail is between his legs or standing straight up and mouth is closed with tight lips, ears forward, intense look, hard body or seems unenthusiastic, say thank you and walk on. If everything is ok, pet gently on the side of the neck.

 Avoid Risky Acts

When children visit a house with a dog, ensure that the dog will be supervised. If walking and encounter a dog that is loose, seems excited or aggressive, teach children to be a little tree with no branches. Stop. Fold your branches (hands) and watch your roots grow (look at your feet) and count in your head until the dog goes away or help comes, experts advise.

Avoid Rough Play with Dogs

  Never pet a dog behind a fence, in a car, or crate. Never bother a sleeping, sick, old dog, or one with puppies, one that is eating, drinking, or chewing. Never approach a dog on furniture or a bed. Dogs are very choosey who hugs and kisses them, a major cause of facial bites.

   Do not break up dogs fighting. Never pet a service dog. Never take something away from a dog or put your face in his face. Avoid rough play with a dog. He may decide “Enough!” Teach children to "be a rock" if the dog actually jumps on them or knocks them down. Curl up and protect face and neck with hands and arms.

If a bite occurs, seek medical care.  For more see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com or wnmufm.org/Learning Through the Seasons podcasts and live.