Science in nature

Following a suggestion from one of our parents the children carried out an activity to show how pine cones open and close depending on the weather. The children were encouraged to observe dry pine cones with an E.Y.P. she then asked the question what would happen if they got wet. The children were then encouraged to add water to the pine cones and enjoyed playing with them for a while in water. The following day they re observed the cones and talked about the differences, comparing them again to the dry ones. This encourages children to show an interest in nature and ask questions about it. It also promotes children to talk about some of the things they have observed.