The seasons change throughout the year, and we can see those changes all around Maryville. In spring, we see flowers blooming in our yards and parks. In summer, it's hot and long days mean more time outside. Fall brings cooler air and leaves changing color. Winter has the shortest days and sometimes snow on the ground.

What To Do

Materials needed: - A notebook or paper - Pencil or crayons - Time to go outside

Step 1: Spring walk Go outside and look for signs of spring. What do you see? - Are there flowers blooming? Name them. - Are the trees green or still bare? - Are you seeing any baby animals outside?

Step 2: Draw what you find Draw three things you notice about spring around you. Maybe a flower, a tree, or something else that tells you it's spring now.

Step 3: Talk about the changes Compare spring to winter: - What's different about the weather? - What clothes do you wear now instead of in winter? - What can you do outside in spring that you couldn't do in winter?

Step 4: Look forward What season comes after spring? What do you think you'll see when that season starts?

Why This Works

This lesson helps children connect to the natural world around them. By noticing changes in their own environment, they build observation skills and learn to track patterns over time. It also builds vocabulary for describing weather and seasonal changes.

Pro Tips

• Go at the same time of day for several days to notice subtle changes
• Keep a mini seasonal journal - draw one thing each week
• If the weather is rainy, look for puddles and talk about where water comes from

🗣️ Parent Script

"Look outside with me. What do you notice about the weather today? How is it different from when we put away our winter coats? Let's walk around the neighborhood and find three signs that it's spring now."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

• Don't lecture about temperature or climate - keep it to what kids can see and feel
• Don't expect perfect drawings - the observation is what matters
• Don't rush - let them spend time just looking around

🆘 If Your Child Struggles

If your child has trouble noticing seasonal changes: - Point out one clear example at a time ("See that flower? That was a bud last week") - Use touch and temperature ("Feel how warm the sun is now?") - Look at photos from winter side-by-side with current photos

🚀 Challenge Version

Have your child keep a seasonal calendar. Each week, mark the date and draw one thing that changed. At the end of the month, look at all the changes together and talk about how the season is growing.

🎈 Easier Version

For younger children or those who need extra support: - Go on a shorter walk (5-10 minutes) - Pick one thing to find ("Can you find a flower?") - Let them choose one spot to sit and just watch