Feathers are one of the greatest provocations for young children. They are beautiful treasures left randomly in parks, playgrounds and backyards. When a child picks up a feather, they may be curious about its soft texture and elegant patterns. They may also wonder which bird left it behind.
EYLF learning outcomes
Feathers are fundamental for nature play in early childhood education. The Early Years Learning Framework learning outcomes for feathers are:
- connecting with natural materials (4.4)
- learning to respect the environment (2.4)
- curiosity, imagination and creativity (4.1)
- inquiry, experimenting, hypothesising, researching and investigating (4.2).
Learning experiences
Investigate feathers
- Look at feathers through a magnifying glass to view the quill, vanes and barbules.
- Bend them with your hands.
- Tickle your skin.
- Collect, sort and label feathers.
Conduct research
Use the internet and books to:
- learn about how feathers help birds fly and keep them warm
- learn why birds leave their feathers in your playground
- identify which birds your feathers came from.
Make things from feathers
- Make a dreamcatcher or a feather headband.
- Create a feather mobile to decorate your room.
- Sticky tape a feather to the end of a pen or pencil as decoration.
- Practice cutting fine lines in different materials - make paper or fabric feathers.
Use a feather as a tool
- Paint with a feather instead of a paintbrush.
- Pretend a feather is a paleontologist's brush. Look for dinosaur bones in the sandpit.
Discussions
- What do birds use feathers for (e.g. flying and insulation).
- Why do birds leave feathers behind?
- Describe different feathers. Do you know which bird they belong to?
Resources
Picture books
- Finn's Feather by Rachel Noble
- Feathers For Phoebe by Rod Clement