Nursery World - Childminder activities: Enjoying blustery days

Easy-to-make and cheap-to-buy resources will help children across the age groups explore and experience the wind, explains Penny Tassoni

It's a gusty morning. A couple of children are running around, their coats flapping open. ‘Look! We're flying,’ they shout out to the adult with them. Early years practitioners know that even babies react to the wind, so it is worth using this natural resource for learning.

The resources needed for helping children to explore wind and the movement of air are easy to make or cheap to buy. It is worth collecting a few resources, such as paper windmills, strips of fabric or plastic that you can tie to a fence, as these can appeal to all ages. You might make or look out for a cheap weather vane to help older children notice the wind's direction change.

FOR BABIES

While babies may not like being in a strong wind, most like a breeze.

Hold a baby and turn their face into a breeze briefly. Look at their reaction to see whether or not to repeat it.
Draw babies’ attention to the way the wind moves things by blowing bubbles and watching them disappear.
Tie strips of paper or fabric onto a washing line, balcony or tree to see how they move in the wind.

FOR TODDLERS

Look out for some sturdy windmills that they can hold and see if they can make the connection between the wind blowing and the turning sails.
Put strips of paper or lightweight fabric onto a short stick for toddlers to hold in the wind.
Tie balloons or paper plates securely onto a tree, balcony or washing line to see how they move around in the wind.

FOR THREE YEARS-PLUS

While this age will often enjoy running and playing in the wind, they may also be interested in creating resources.

Help children to make their own windmills using paper or foam (see Making resources).
Support children to make their own wind chime using metal utensils, shells and bells tied to a hoop or a branch of a tree. Toddlers can join in by playing with the items before they are hung up, or by selecting them.
On a hot day, show children how to make a simple fan by folding an A4 sheet of paper. Toddlers can join in by doing some decorating of the paper.
Ask children each day about the wind and record how strong the wind is to help children notice patterns in the weather.
For children from five years, you may also want to explore using and making kites if you are lucky enough to have an open space.

DEVELOPMENTAL BENEFITS

Babies

Stimulates development of senses.
Joint attention as adult and baby focus and interact together.
Social development as babies watch older children play and make resources.

Toddlers

Developing vocabulary relating to wind.
Growing awareness of nature and the effects of wind.
Development of fine and gross motor co-ordination when holding a windmill or running in the wind.

Children aged three-plus

Development of fine motor skills when making resources.
Concentration and perseverance as they make and test resources.
Increased understanding of the weather and the role of wind.

Role of the adult

While children of all ages may just enjoy experiencing the wind, over time we can help them develop their vocabulary so that they can describe it accurately, for example, ‘breeze’, ‘gust’ and ‘blow’.

With babies our role is to draw their attention to the wind and things swaying or flapping in the wind. As children grow and develop, we can help them learn to observe the effects of wind on their immediate environment.

We can talk to them about the direction of the wind and how this can change. We can also support them in creating objects that require wind to make them work, such as windmills, and even for older children, kites. Finally, for all ages, it is worth looking out for books about the wind, such as The Windy Day by Anna Milbourne or The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchins. Think also about some non-fiction books to help children learn about windmills and wind farms.