Encouraging Children To Learn About Science And Nature

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Encouraging Children to Learn About Science and
Nature  
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• We often hear about how the United States lags
  behind other countries in science education, but
  kids have always had an inborn curiosity about
  the natural world

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• and all it takes to get them on the right track
  is a bit of encouragement.

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For example, kids at day camp have long enjoyed
fun-filled hands-on activities centered on
learning about wildlife, plants
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• stars and marine critters, getting an
  invaluable education while making magical camp
  memories.

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As parents, you too can help inspire your
youngsters to a lifelong interest in science and
nature.
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Wonders of Wildlife
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• Kids who are encouraged early to follow their
  innate curiosity about the natural world often
  develop science related hobbies and even jobs as
  they mature.

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• Observation is an important part of teaching kids
  about nature, and summer day camp counselors have
  been helping kids

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• identify animal tracks, plants and
  constellations for generations

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• Encourage your child to watch a spider spin its
  web, listen to different bird songs or watch as a
  caterpillar spins a cocoon and turns into a
  butterfly

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• then follow up observations with a visit to the
  library or an on-line search to learn more.

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Growing Things
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• Kids love to watch things grow, from a simple
  avocado seed sprouting in a glass on the
  windowsill to vegetables in the garden.

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• Buy some packaged seeds and watch track their
  growth with your youngster

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• its even more fun when youre growing
  something youll actually eat like tomatoes or
  cucumbers.

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• You can take a simple walk in the woods or
  neighborhood and identifying different trees and
  flowers and talking about the seasons of growth.

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• Any of the myriad questions kids ask, can start
  an interesting conversation.  

Why do the leaves fall in autumn?
Do carrots really grow underground?
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• Plant a tree blow on a dandelion head or make a
  compost pile.

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Exploring
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• What better way to fall in love with nature than
  taking an adventurous tromp through the woods
  with a group of fellow campers and a
  knowledgeable counselor?

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• At summer camp, kids have amazing opportunities
  to learn, explore and get up close and personal
  with the natural world.

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• Lifting up rocks to find whats living
  underneath, catching frogs (and letting them go
  of course!) at the waters edge or standing still
  as a statue

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• to watch a deer in a clearing all provide
  unforgettable encounters with the natural world
  and its amazing inhabitants.

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Weather
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• Endlessly changing and fun to track, weather is
  fascinating and delightfully dramatic.

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• Watch the weather report with your kids.

• Observe the sky and clouds at different times of
  day.

• Look up locations on a map and see how their
  weather differs.

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• Keep a diary of the weather in your own yard with
  a thermometer or device for measuring rain water.

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• Try to figure out how far away lightning is
  through the sound of thunder.

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• There are so many ways to foster a love of the
  magic and mystery of weather.

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Energy
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We live in a world powered by energy, and there
are so many ways to teach kids the importance of
being environmentally aware.
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• From recycling glass, metal and paper around the
  house to watching how the electric meter changes
  as you turn things on and off, there are so many
  ways to observe how we use and how we can
  conserve energy.

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• You and your youngster can figure out mileage for
  a family road trip or compute the differences in
  time involved in going to the store or library on
  foot, by bike or in the car.

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• Encouraging your child to be environmentally
  aware can help develop a lifelong interest in
  science and nature.

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Let your kids enjoy the experience of summer day
camp at Maplewood Summer Day Camp.
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Experienced staff will keep your child both safe
and busy with arts and crafts, games, water
sports, gymnastics and more.
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Visit the site at www.maplewoodyearround.comto
see the fun your child will have at Maplewood
Summer Day Camp.
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MAPLEWOOD COUNTRY DAY CAMP AND ENRICHMENT CENTER
150 Foundry St. (Route 106) PO Box 88
(Mailing) South Easton, MA 02375 Email
info_at_maplewoodyearround.com Telephone (508)
238-2387 FAX [phone]