Few things in the world are as mysterious and beautiful as the moon, which is symbolic in many cultures. When children first look at the night sky, they notice the moon with awe and wonder.
The moon and space align with The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) as children learn respect for the environment (2.4) and become involved in researching and investigating (4.2). The moon relates to curiosity, imagination and creativity (4.1).
Learning experiences
Mould a moon out of clay
Clay is the perfect material to make a moon. It is heavy, earthy, and easily shaped into a rough sphere using wet hands. Children can use their fingers to poke craters into their moons.
Bake potatoes
Bake a potato for each child, preferably using potatoes that are round and moon-like. Once they come out of the oven and have cooled down appropriately, give the children clean utensils like pop sticks or skewers. They can poke these into their moons to form craters. Now, add butter and enjoy!
Don't worry if the moons get a bit squished. You can always give children potato mashers. This is supposed to be a fun sensory experience.
Monitor the moon
Monitor the moon changes over a month. Observe changes to the moon's shape on a daily basis. Draw what you see.
Explore space
Pretend to be an astronaut exploring the moon. Make your own costume.
Check the tide
Talk about the moon's effects on tides. View tide charts.
Make a moon collage
Cut a circle out of paper and glue it on another piece of paper. Represent a moon in the night by pasting white paper on a black background. Older children might draw and cut out a crescent moon.
Resources
Picture books
- Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd
- Kissed by the Moon by Alison Lester
- Papa Please Get the Moon for Me (animation) by Eric Carle
Music
Websites
- National Geographic: The moon
- ABC: How the moon affects tides