Winter Hibernation

When Winter Comes by Nancy Van Laan, illustrated by Susan Gaber. This beautifully illustrated book explains where the leaves, flowers, caterpillars, songbirds, field mice, deer, and fish go in winter.

Another wonderful picture book that describes what happens in winter is Dear Rebecca, Winter is Here, by Jean Craighead George with pictures by Loretta Krupinski.  The author’s note contains a wonderful explanation of the summer and winter solstice.

Ridiculous by Michael Coleman

A funny tale of a tortoise that decides not to hibernate and instead goes to explore winter. A dog, cat, duck and bird ask how the tortoise can keep warm like they do with humorous results.

There are some great hibernation activities for preschoolers at  http://trilliummontessori.org/animals-in-winter/ including making animal tracks in Play-Doh, a bear in a cave craft, and a bird migration game.

Big science for little people: 52 activities to help you and your child discover the wonders of science written by Lynn Brunelle is filled with great activities including making a crystal snowflake; perfect for winter!

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Fun Science Books for Children!

Science experiments : shiny, slimy, stinky, shocking by Steve Parker.

Many fun and easy to create experiments for younger children are included in this book including light and color, slimy science, shocking science (static electricity) and lots and lots of stinky science using the sense of smell.

100 science experiments with paper by Steven W. Moje.

Lots of fun activities with paper, including a popping paper bag, a paper bull-roarer and a paper cup telephone!

Science in seconds with toys : over 100 experiments you can do in ten minutes or less by Jean Potter.

This book contains easy to do science experiments including some that are safe to use with preschoolers.  The categories are:

Reflecting, Refracting, and Glowing.
Mixing, Molding, and Stretching.
Rolling, Sliding, and Sticking.
Balancing, Swinging, and Spinning.
Throwing, Flying, and Falling.
Floating, Bouncing, and Pushing.
Plucking, Banging, and Blowing.

One example from the book is Friction Flurry, Why Will a Toy Car Roll Farther Than a Lump of Clay? Use a toy car, and a lump of clay to roll down a flat board to determine which rolls faster to explore the science of friction.

A great recipe for Play Plubber helps explain polymers to children and something the preschoolers would really enjoy playing with!

How Come by Kathy Wollard  answers many questions that preschoolers might have.

A few examples are:

Why does rain fall in drops?

Is it true no two snowflakes are exactly alike?

How come flowers have scents?

Why do some animals hibernate in winter?

How do birds sleep?

The answers are technical, but can be adapted for a preschooler’s understanding.

Super Science Concoctions by Jill Frankel Hauser is wonderfully illustrated and easy to follow.

Learn about water tension with water robots made from aluminum foil and a pan of water, try starched designs with string and starch or make spicy art with spices, paper and a bowl of water.