As Erie warms up and flowers bloom, we want to focus on the Scientific Thinking and Technology Learning Standard. Summer is a perfect time to explore and learn about biological sciences. How do we do this with our toddlers so that through play they can learn more complex ideas and expand their speech and language skills?

Explore your yards and local parks. We love exploring the creek and plant life at LEAF or Asbury Woods! (Remember to bring Zip lock baggies). Our Pinterest board has terrific ideas for exploring nature with your toddlers. Another one of our favorite activities involves securing sticky contact paper on an outside wall. Children can then place leaves, flowers, bark or other treasures on this wall.

Observe bird feeders and insects. Help your child learn about living and nonliving things. Toddlers can begin to learn to use tools for exploration. Tongs or tweezers, magnifying glasses, scales and eye droppers are some tools that you can share with your children.

Plant flowers or a garden together. Amazing things happen when we combine water, dirt, seeds and sunshine. Our toddlers will recognize that plants and animals grow and change. More importantly, this is a great opportunity for them to learn to love and protect our wonderful planet.

Within this context, it is important that toddlers learn to watch, listen, explore and imitate you, their siblings and others as these interactions are instrumental to help them formulate new ideas and sentences.

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