We teach children to look at the clouds, it is a beneficial activity from multiple points of view, creative and relaxing.
Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerousAmong the many activities for children have you ever thought aboutobservation of clouds? Apparently it involves countless benefits and it is even useful for transmitting scientific knowledge to the youngest ones.
Not just children, however, many adults love to dedicate time to it, so much so that years ago the Cloud Appreciation Society was born in England, a group of sky observers that over the years has attracted members from all over the world. Observing clouds is called “cloudspotting” and there is even a guide on the subject, “Cloudspotting. A guide for cloud contemplators ”, authored by Gavin Pretor-Pinney, founder of the English company.
Speaking of the benefits, apparently look at them it particularly promotes relaxation, almost like a form of meditation, since it focuses the observer's attention by stimulating concentration.
Furthermore, by dint of observing them, children can learn to distinguish them. Did you know that there are many different types? Scijinks explains that there are high, medium, low and special, and each of these categories includes clouds with specific characteristics, from those that bring snow to those of rain. Of course, there is no need to spend the summer memorizing them but, by observing them, children can learn valuable information and maybe also make some forecast of the weather.
To be able to identify them, there are also online tools, such as the cloud wheel available for free on the National Weather Service website. According to the characteristics, we said, the clouds can contain more or less water, for example those with a particularly dark background generally contain more and therefore can indicate incoming rain. Ditto those that appear very thick!
Print and cut out the cloud wheel!
Another useful feature for making weather forecasts is the observation of shapes and their movements, as well as their density. For example, Meteo-online suggests that clouds with well-defined and swollen contours, with vertical development, can indicate thunderstorms in progress, while high ones, "white, isolated, filamentous or tufts with halos", can signal the arrival of a warm front. which involves precipitation.
Having said that, observing the clouds not only teaches you to know the sky but it can also be an interesting creative activity and stimulating, as The Latte Mom suggests. For example, children can be asked to draw the various types starting from the basic shape, developing others, even more imaginative ones.
Or again, a great classic, to observe them with the imagination for find nice similarities with animals and fantastic creatures that could become the protagonists of invented stories and fairy tales.
Not to mention the fact that, by observing the clouds lying on a beautiful lawn, children also have the opportunity to be in close contact with nature and to learn more about it.
FONTI: Scijinks / Meteo-Online / Thelattemom
You might also like:
- Games and activities to do at home with children
- How to make children play and have fun even without toys
