Launchpad - Introducing the topic (10–20 mins)
Step 1Begin by gathering materials to make a simple weather chart to stick on the wall or fridge. Explain to the child that the chart you create together will be used to keep track of the weather outside and help determine what to wear for the week (or however many days you choose to add to the chart).
Step 2Create a table on the poster paper, listing the days of the week down the left-hand side, and leaving space to record the weather conditions beside each day. Depending on the child’s age and the amount of time you can dedicate to the task, you may like to create extra columns to document the weather throughout the day (morning, noon and evening).
Step 3Cut the other piece of poster paper into small squares – you’ll need at least 1 card per day that you decide to record the weather (3 cards per day if recording multiple times a day).
Step 4Invite the child to draw different weather conditions on each card so there are multiple of each. To save time, you could help them find suitable images on the internet to print and stick on instead. Make sure to include simple weather conditions relevant to your location such as sun, rain, clouds, snow and storming.
Discover - Exploring the topic (20–30 mins)
Step 1Discuss air temperature, explaining that the air around us can feel warm or cold depending on factors like sunlight, wind and nearby ocean. Use examples such as sunny days feeling warmer due to the sun’s heat and windy days feeling cooler because of moving air.
Step 2If you have access to a weather app or website, show the child how to use it to check current weather conditions by studying the pictures. If they are under 2 or you don’t have access to a simple app, encourage the child to step outside with you each morning and make predictions based on the feeling of the air and what’s in the sky (observing the wind, colour of the sky and temperature of the air). Discuss how knowing the weather conditions helps us predict if the air will feel warm or cold throughout the day, and how this can be useful when it comes to selecting what to wear.
Step 3Take the child outside and ask them to observe the weather conditions around them. Use their observations to add to the weather chart they are creating. Discuss how the current weather matches the pictures they have drawn/printed, and which one they should select to add to the chart next to the corresponding day. Ask the child questions like ‘Does it feel warm or cold?’ ‘Is it mostly sunny or rainy?’.
Step 4Display the weather chart in a visible place at home and continue to add to it over the week. Provide multiple exposure to weather discussion to help the child understand air temperature.
Showcase
Make
Record a video documenting the activity, including interviews with those involved sharing their insights and reflections. This may include filming each step of the flower-pressing process or the child explaining the parts of the flower that they have labelled on their flower-press diagram.
Compile photos, drawings and notes from the activity into a scrapbook, highlighting what has been learned and enjoyed.
Use materials from the activity to build a model or prototype of something related to the topic, fostering hands-on learning and creativity.
Create a game related to the activity, such as a trivia game or charades, to reinforce learning in a fun way.
Play
Set up simple hands-on experiments or demonstrations that promote repeated practice, discussion and ongoing investigation.
Encourage imaginative play by using clothes, toys, or props related to weather. Prompt the child to role-play scenarios such as being a weather forecaster, dressing appropriately for different weather conditions, or demonstrating how wind affects objects. For instance, you could suggest they dress in a rain jacket and boots for rainy weather, or wear sunglasses and a hat for sunny weather, reflecting what they’ve learned from the weather chart.
Create a sensory box filled with materials related to the topic and let them explore, touch, feel and manipulate the items freely.
Sing songs (known or made up) and encourage dancing or movement in ways that explore or mimic the concepts being explored.
Write
If the activity involved a visit to a museum or community centre, write thank-you notes to any instructors or organisers, reflecting on what has been learned.
Collaborate on writing a fictional story or play inspired by the themes or concepts explored during the activity.
Reflect on what has been learned during the activity and write letters to be opened at a later date, sharing thoughts, goals and aspirations.
If the activity involved outdoor exploration, begin a nature journal to document future outdoor adventures and observations.
Plan
Brainstorm ideas for a follow-up activity or experiment inspired by what was learned during the initial activity.
Take time to reflect on how the activity could inspire new goals, discussing ways to incorporate similar experiences into your routine in the future.
If the activity involved a specific topic or field of study, reach out to experts or professionals for interviews or Q&A sessions to deepen understanding.
If you enjoyed the activity, why not share it with other families within your community? Plan a workshop or invite a friend over to re-create the experience and share your new knowledge.