Charles Darwin, one of history’s most famous naturalists, got his start with beetle hunting! He had a thing for beetles, and would go to great lengths to collect and study them. People who study beetles, remind us that passionate scientists come from passionate kids. When we value our children’s passions, whether they are transfixed by beetles… Read More
The ability to understand cause and effect, figure out how things work, and solve problems – are essential to support critical thinking in our children. One way to encourage these skills is by having children experiment with color mixing. Color mixing can help practice critical thinking skills like exploring cause and effect through observation of how… Read More
Elephants are among the most intelligent of the creatures with whom we share the planet. Across Africa they have inspired respect from the people that share the landscape with them, giving them a strong cultural significance. They are icons of the continent. They are also a keystone species, playing an important role in maintaining the biodiversity… Read More
Take a walk on a windy day, or just stand outside for a few minutes. Talk about the wind with your children and explore what it does……………. Can you see the wind? How do you know it’s blowing? What does it do to objects and the people around you? What does it do to the trees?… Read More
There is no better place to observe the different scales and dimensions of the natural world than in the study of the circle in nature and its related forms. This is a delightful celebration of all things round… curves, spirals, orbs, and bubbles of full-bodied beauty. AND….The comfort of this perfect form can also be felt… Read More
The interconnectivity of the underwater ecosystem is essential to its own vitality. The sea otter is a critical component in this web of life, and maintains its role as the “Keeper of the Kelp”. Kelp plays one of the most important roles, not only in the ocean, but on Earth, as it harbors life and sequesters… Read More
How many times have you heard children squeal in joy at the sight of a dog or cat, spurring them to run at animals who may or may not be comfortable with strangers? It’s never too early to teach our children that every living creature deserves kindness, and it’s important they also know the safe way… Read More
“My advice to the person suffering from lack of time and from apathy is this: Seek out each day as many as possible of the small joys.” Hermann Hesse The little joys … they are so inconspicuous and scattered so liberally throughout our daily lives that many times, we hardly notice… Read More
They’re slithery and scaly, and they have icky, flicking tongues and creepy, unblinking eyes. What’s to like about a snake? You’d be surprised! ********************** Author – Nicola Davies Illustrator – Luciano Lozano This little girl has a problem. Her family doesn’t have dogs, or cats, or birds—they have snakes! And she really, really, really really doesn’t… Read More
Pete the Cat teaches us that sometimes we can make the situation better through our attitude, and sometimes by the way in which we solve the problem. Being content with what you have is an enduring lesson in this story. Pete the Cat’s contentment is clearly not only with his shoes but also with his life. … Read More
