Members of the Garden’s education team love nature, love books and love books about nature. Winter is a great time to snuggle down with your kids and a great story–and to look for gifts for the young readers and soon-to-be-readers in your life. We asked our educators for recommendations of new or favorite children’s books, and here’s what they suggested:
Snow globes are so simple but so mesmerizing. Most children love shaking the globes and watching sudden blizzards engulf whatever tiny worlds exist inside. This December, your family can build their own custom snow globes that will not only serve as cheerful outdoor decorations but also introduce the fundamentals of renewable energy.
Think back to your own childhood: How much time did you spend outside? Now think about how much time the children you know and love spend outside. No matter how much or how little time you enjoyed in nature, it’s likely the kids of today are outside much, much less. The result is an entire generation suffering from what some scholars call “nature deficit disorder.” Education experts at the Garden have been working in partnership with the Fort Worth Garden Club since 2018 to remedy this deficit for as many area girls as possible through the Girls’ Nature Workshop series.
Our four-week festival of Hispanic heritage, ¡Celebramos!, begins Sept. 15, and our calendar is packed with events that range from a Quinceañera community celebration to an outdoor market to an art exhibit of depictions of the plants of Latin America. Families looking to celebrate Hispanic Heritage with their children should highlight Saturday, Oct. 1 on their calendars and plan to attend Día de la Familia. The day is packed with educational programs and performances and culminates with movie night at the Garden.
Most area school districts begin classes this month. Alongside all of the students and teachers, those heading back to the classroom include members of the FWBG | BRIT early childhood education team. They will spend the school year helping some of the youngest learners in our area explore the outdoors. “Our goal is to help teachers incorporate nature into learning for three-year-old pre-k students,” says Early Childhood Program Manager Cheryl Potemkin.
The scientific method begins with observation, yet observation isn’t often taught. Parents and teachers assume that students know how to observe without explaining that observing isn’t simply looking. It’s a way of engaging with the natural world that employs multiple senses, draws on existing knowledge and raises questions for further discussion. Learn more about how to teach your children how to observe.
It looks as if this is going to be a long, hot summer. Time to get creative and find fun ways to get your family outside and moving without melting. One solution: Just add water. Outdoor activities that include water can be cooler—especially when some splashing is allowed. Playing with water also has another advantage. It’s a great way to introduce some basic STEM concepts while having fun.
The clock is counting down the days that we get to enjoy David Roger’s Big Bugs exhibition at the Garden. The Bugs will fly, scuttle and hop away. on June 12. One way to enjoy the Bugs before they depart, plus create a keepsake of the exhibition, is to join our family workshop, Big Bug Builders.
The days are getting longer, the temperature is getting warmer, and summer is right around the corner. Give your kids the gift of an outdoor adventure by enrolling them in our S.E.E.D. (Summer Exploration, Engagement and Discovery) camps.
Kids love bugs! Whether creeping, crawling, fluttering or flying, insects are fascinating—and they’re a great opportunity to learn about the natural world as a family. ith Butterflies in the Garden on-going and David Rogers’ Big Bugs opening this month, now is a great time to interest your family in insects with some great books and easy home activities.
FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN
3220 Botanic Garden Blvd
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
(817) 463-4160
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We respectfully acknowledge that the Fort Worth Botanic Garden is located on traditional lands of Indigenous Peoples. We honor the ancestry, heritage, and gifts of all Indigenous Peoples who were sustained by these lands and give thanks to them. We are grateful that these lands continue to provide enrichment for many people today. [More…]
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