After months of long nights and short days we are finally at a balance... every minute tipping the scales towards more sunlight and the height of the growing season.
Flowers and plants are timidly making their first advances. Buds still sheathed in their hearty warm coats are slowly growing larger, hinting at what they might become.
In these early spring days when small shoots of green and tight buds are the only signs of the changing season, it can be a fun activity to imagine what everything will look like once it finally arrives. Taking children on nature walks at this time of year, whether in the woods, the park, or in your own backyard, can be a great opportunity to do just that. Try guessing the shape of the leaves that will appear on different trees, the color and type of flowers that will bloom, and the species of birds that will come from the different nests that are visible in the bare branches. You could draw pictures of your projections in a nature journal, or even write stories about the adventures of the little leaves and flowers as they make their journey through the seasons of the year. After you have finished, try visiting these spots daily to see how they measure up to your projections...
... and watch as the flowers bloom.
Happy Spring!! For some inspiring narrative picture books about journeys through the seasons and nature try here, and here, and here.
