Toddlers get taste of science at Green Garden Child Development event – Macomb Daily

Young children had the opportunity to tinker with a variety of science experiments Saturday morning at the Science and Nature Exploration Day hosted by Green Garden Child Development’s Macomb Township campus.

Kids 5-years-old and under could test different items for flotation ability, press the paw prints of various animals into homemade play dough or snow, or even use different available materials to create their own experiment.

The idea was to introduce young people to science and nature while sparking their creativity.

“We try to do a lot of nature-based things,” said Campus Director Sarah Hodges. “We also want to show that it is OK to get dirty and make a mess.”

One young boy was very entertained picking up various objects and placing them in a small tub of water to see if they floated. When something did float, he clapped his hands and smiled.

Because temperatures were a little chilly for extended outdoor play on Saturday, snow was brought inside for the toddlers to use in experiments and explore. Hodges said the center emphasizes nature and playing outdoors, something for which she says many children need encouragement.

“Especially after COVID, a lot of kids just wanted to stay indoors and stopped going outdoors as much as they used to,” Hodges said. “We also show them how to integrate outdoor things inside on those days when you can’t go out.”

Hodges realizes that nowadays, many activities – even for very young toddlers – are meticulously planned and are directed by adults. Science and Nature Exploration Day allows adults to stand back as the children’s sense of curiosity emerges.

“We are trying to get away from telling kids ‘you have to do this my way and this is the way we are doing the activity’ and allow the child to express themselves and develop their creativity,” said Hodges.

The Green Garden Child Development Center is located at 18600 23 Mile Road just east of Romeo Plank Road in Macomb Township.

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