Age group: 3–5 years
Learning areas: Science, language, creativity, social skills, sustainability
Objective:
Children use their senses to explore and describe natural objects, building curiosity about the world around them while developing vocabulary and observation skills.
Materials needed:
- Basket or tray with natural items (leaves, flowers, shells, pinecones, bark, feathers, stones, herbs, etc.)
- Magnifying glasses
- Clipboards or paper with simple “detective sheets” (drawings of eyes, nose, hands, ears to record senses used)
- Crayons or pencils
How it works:
- Introduction – Gather the children in a circle and explain that they are “Nature Detectives” today, using their senses to discover hidden secrets in everyday objects.
- Exploration – Place the basket of natural items in the middle. Invite children to choose an object and examine it using their senses (look closely, feel textures, smell if safe).
- Detective Sheet – Children can “record” their findings by drawing what they see, circling which senses they used, or sharing with an educator to scribe their words.
- Group Sharing – Each child presents their favourite discovery and describes it in their own words (“It feels rough,” “It smells like mint,” “It’s green and spiky”).
- Extension Options:
- Create a “Nature Display Table” in the centre for ongoing exploration.
- Use descriptive words to make a group poem or story.
- Compare objects (heaviest/lightest, roughest/smoothest).
Learning outcomes (EYLF):
- Children develop curiosity and enthusiasm for learning (Outcome 4).
- They use language to describe and express ideas (Outcome 5).
- They connect with the natural environment and sustainability (Outcome 2).