Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Science: Life Science Fine Motor Sensory Processing
Hug a Tree
Observe a tree up close. See if you can wrap your arms around its trunk. Smell its bark and leaves. Listen to its sounds. Make a bark rubbing.Instructions
Get Ready
Gather the following materials. We've linked to our suggested choices, but feel free to substitute!
Explore
Begin to slowly explore a tree with your senses. See if you can wrap your arms around its trunk. Smell its bark and leaves. Listen to its sounds. Encourage your tot to try. You might also demonstrate how to make a bark rubbing. Encourage your tot to try. Then follow your tot’s lead and support her play.
Observe
Share your observations aloud, and encourage your tot to observe and/or describe the tree.
- What size is the tree? Taller or shorter than you or me? How wide is the trunk? Too wide to reach around for you or me?
- What colors do we see on the tree?
- How does the tree trunk feel? The leaves? The branches? Smooth? Rough? Soft? Hard?
- Does the tree smell good? Does the bard smell different than the leaves?
- Do you hear any sounds coming from the tree? Quiet sounds? Loud sounds?
- Does our rubbing look like the tree trunk? What’s the same? What’s different?