Kiptown Park • Standards • Books • Websites • Off-Screen Activities

The Kiptown Park focuses on science skills. Scientific inquiry, for young children, is asking questions and seeking answers based on their natural curiosity. At the Kiptown Park, children explore the environment, tests predictions, collect items, and explore new ways of presenting scientific information.

 

Standards

Park Main Screen

Standard: Social-Emotional Strand 4: Approaches to Learning Concept 1: Curiosity The child is inquisitive about new experiences. b. Shows interest in learning new things and trying new experiences. Back to top

Park Activity 1

The child explores a natural environment.

Standard: Science Strand 1: Inquiry Concept 1: Observations, Questions and Hypotheses The child asks questions and makes predictions based on observations of events in the environment. a. Demonstrates curiosity about objects, living things, and other natural events in the environment. Back to top

Park Activity 2

The child practices using tools to complete tasks.

Standard: Science Strand 1: Inquiry Concept 2: Investigation The child tests predictions through exploration and experimentation. a. Uses a variety of appropriate tools and materials to complete a planned task or investigation. Back to top

Park Activity 3

The child practices recording and organizing data.

Standard: Science Strand 1: Inquiry Concept 3: Analysis and Conclusions The child forms conclusions about his/her observations and experimentations. a. Uses a variety of materials to record and organize data. Back to top

Park Activity 4

The child practices different ways to present scientific information.

Standard: Science Strand 1: Inquiry Concept 4: Communication The child describes, discusses or presents predictions, explanations and generalizations. d. Presents scientific ideas in a variety of ways. Back to top

Books

Otis, Carol. Rocks in His Head. New York: Greenwillow, 2001.

Peet, Bill. Farewell to Shady Glade. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1981.

Jenkins, S. and Robin Page. I See a Kookaburra! Discovering Animal Habitats Around the World. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2005.

Jenkins, S. What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You? New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2001.

Markle, Sandra. Creepy, Crawly, Baby Bugs. New York: Walker and Co., 1988.

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Websites

• Place of our Own "Outdoor Play"
  
  
• PBS Kids Go "Eekoworld"

• University of Illinois Extension "A Walk in the Woods"

• PBS Nature
  (Click on "Featured Animal of the Week" video.)

• PBS Kids "Backyard Jungle"

• PBS Kids "Jay Jay the Jet Plane "Caregivers Corner"
  

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Off-Screen Activities

Outdoor Wonders!

It is important to develop children's sense of wonder and curiosity in natural settings. When you visit a park, beach, forest, or other scenic environment, encourage your child to be a keen observer of what is around them. One way to do this is to bring a sketchpad, and draw. Then stop and talk about the sketches. Ask questions such as the following:

• "Why do you think that bug is on the leaf of the plant?"
• "What do you think will happen to the flowers when it rains?"
• "What was under the log?"

Gone fishing!

As children seek answers, they will observe, predict and form conclusions. They do this by exploring and experimenting with a variety of tools. One way you can encourage this skill is to play fishing game in your kitchen sink. Fill the sink with water, and place an assortment of small items in the water for the child to "catch" with their fishing poles. Tell your child that you are going to make a fishing pole. Lay out string, straws, pipe cleaners, sticks, spoons, and an assortment of plastic cups. Together, figure out how you are going to make your fishing pole. First, let your child play with the tools. Then ask questions such as "What do you think might happen if we try this?" Have fun, and remember that there is no one correct way to make a fishing pole. What is most important is to help your child develop the ability to explore and experiment.

In out and about: collection time!

An important part of inquiry is analyzing what you observe, and finding ways to record what you find. One way you can do this with your child is to create collections without physically collecting objects. For example, you might say, "Let's collect things that start with the letter 'm'" while you are driving to school," or "Let's make a collection of red objects," as you walk through a shopping mall or supermarket. You can also make collections from objects in your home or backyard. One way to do this is to give your child a basket and say, "Let's collect all the tools we can find," or "What kinds of things can we collect in our backyard?" After you are finished, you can record your collections in a variety of ways. You might create a list with your child, recounting what you collected. You might wish to write out labels for your collection, or draw or take pictures of your collection. Encourage your child to talk about the collection and the different ways to capture information.

Listen, act, & photograph: Nature is all around us

Children learn many things by observing the natural world around them. It is important to help your child learn different ways to present scientific ideas. You can accomplish this goal in a variety of ways. First, you can create an audio recording of the sounds of nature. You might want to capture the sounds of frogs in a pond, birds chirping, or the wind howling. Encourage your child to narrate the tape, and add sound effects of his or her own. Another way to present scientific ideas is by creating a dramatic skit. For example, you might act out a scene in a park that highlights different animals and bugs one might encounter. A third way to present scientific ideas is through creating a photo album. After you take pictures, write captions with your child. Talk about the many different ways you can capture scientific ideas.

Design your own park!

Talk to your child and find out what he or she liked about the Kiptown Park. Compare the Kiptown Park to parks that you have visited. Then ask your child to design a park of his or her own. Use a large piece of construction paper and an assortment of crayons and markers. Brainstorm all the things that would make a perfect park. Help your child think about different areas and uses of the park. Encourage your child to continue to add new areas to your park design as he or she thinks of new ideas.

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