The weather offers unique opportunities for children’s learning, and there is no better way than to actually experience it – jumping in puddles, feeling and tasting raindrops on our face, leaning against the strength of the wind, making shadow creatures in the sunlight, or making a snow angel.From the moment we are born we have a strong exploratory urge, engaging with the world using all our senses.
When autumn is upon us we notice a range of different weather changes- the temperature cools, there is more rain and wind and the days grow shorter and darker.
Observe and discuss these changes with the children – what do they notice?
What colour are the clouds?
What colour are the leaves on the trees?
Was there wind? What effect did it have on: dust, dirt, grass and trees? What did it move? How did it sound? Can you tell the direction of the wind by the way the trees blow?
How does the rain feel/sound like?
What will we need to wear when we go outside today?
Have weather related resources at the ready,accessible to the children, so that you can make the most of windy, rainy or sunny days.
A wind resource box might contain
- wind chimes
- kites or resources to make kites
- pinwheels or spinners
- parachute
- streamers or ribbons on sticks
- paper planes
- leaves and seeds
- leaves, feathers or seeds
- recyclabes for making musical instruments such as wind chimes
- pictures of windy weather could be posted on the box, or walls-i.e, wind mills, wind turbines
Windy day ideas
Go outside on windy days and encourage children to run with streamers, listen and observe the wind using chimes, feathers and leaves or blow bubbles.
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Make windmills with the children and experiment in different areas of the service to see where they spin the fastest
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Use and make different-shaped kites and watch the movements they make as they fly.
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Explore the sound of the wind with a wind chime that can be hung on a tree branch or outside where it will catch the wind;or make your own wind chime using a hanger and attach objects such as metal spoons, bells, cans and other recyclables
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Create more interesting sounds with your own instruments made from recyclables
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Provide scarves and streamers in your windy day resource box for the children to hold and to run with them behind them to catch the wind.
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Explore the visual effects created by the wind by hanging streamers or ribbons inside and outside. Hang a glass prism near a breezy window and watch the rainbow kaleidoscope effect it has on the walls.
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Record the sounds and sights of a windy day, by using a video recorder or your phone
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Play a selection of different wind music and dance along to it, mimicking a leaf in the wind
Here are some wind clips you can use in your service:
Slow wind sound | Wind in leaves |
Wind in the trees | Hurricane howls! |
Bring out the bubble mix and blow bubbles into the wind.Or throw leaves, feathers or seeds into the air and watch how they float and catch the wind.
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Dry wet clothes on the washing line and observe which way the wind blows them. Hang scarves or a windsock to observe the changes throughout the day.
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School age children may be interested in the speed of the wind, so check out the hand-held anemometer, a device that measures the wind speed
Outdoor environment
Some resources to inspire weather and wind enthusiasts could be:
- an outdoor music centre
- wind chimes made from recyclables or home items
- windmills
- a wind vane
- scarves and streamers
- a thermometer
- a sun dial
- bamboo circle
- trees
- funnels that create different sounds
- noisemakers
Plant Bamboo | Willow Circle |
Hang Streamers | Use Weather Technology |
As young children practise listening to and making sounds in many different situations, their ability to distinguish between sounds will increase. Opportunities to explore and experience different sounds will enhance their ability to compare, sort and classify sounds effectively,so it’s important that children have every opportunity to experience a range of sounds and instruments.
For more ideas on making windchimes see pinterest for inspiration.
Remember there is no such things as bad weather- only bad clothing!
Books
Where Does the Wind Blow? by Cynthia A. Rink
One Windy Wednesday by Phyllis Root
Elmer and the Wind by David Mckee
The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchins
Warren and the Very Windy Day by Liane Payne
The Three Little Pigs
A Kite Day by Will Hillenbrand
Have you Heard the Wind?
Have you heard the wind go “Ooo-oo?”
Knocking on the windows, “Ooo-oo?”
Rapping, “Ooo-oo”
Tapping, “Ooo-oo.”
Have you heard the wind go “Ooo-oo-oo?”
Have you heard the wind go “Ooo-oo?”
Rustling in the trees, “Ooo-oo?”
Whistling, “Ooo-oo,”
Whispering, “Ooo-oo.”
Have you heard the wind go “Ooo-oo-oo?”
Have you heard the wind go “Ooo-oo?”
Blowing down the chimney “Ooo-oo?”
Sighing, “Ooo-oo”
Crying, “Ooo-oo.”
Have you heard the wind go “Ooo-oo-oo?”