Age
⚙ 2 years and up
Time and Place
⚙ Any time of day
⚙ Any time of year (unless ground is covered with snow)
⚙ Outdoors
Materials
⚙ Magnifying glass
Optional Materials
⚙ A bag or container to collect rock
Safety
⚙ Supervise children at all times
⚙Be aware of choking hazards (i.e., small rocks)
⚙Protect children from elements (e.g., sun, rain)
Instructions
When children demonstrate an interest in rocks, encourage them to collect and examine rocks while they go on an outing. Encourage children to build with rocks, create patterns, explore their shapes, or sort them into different categories.
Questions You May Ask
⚙How would you describe your rock?
⚙How does your rock feel?
⚙What can you see with your magnifying glass?
⚙What can you build with your rocks?
⚙What kind of pattern can you make with your rocks?
⚙How can you sort your rocks?
Related Children's Books
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Play-based Context
An educator noticed that the coat of one of the children was very heavy and realized a pocket was full of rocks. The educator encouraged the child to further explore the rocks during an outing and other children joined in.
