Ecology Week 

June 22 – 26, 2022 

Ecology Week
Children will discover this week that all living things – humans, animals, plants, insects – affect one another and so do our surroundings and environment. We’ll also learn that we need to protect all our natural resources like air, water, and soil to live. 

Purpose Behind the Play: Social skills, collaboration, cause and effect, fine / gross motor development, social / emotional regulation, body awareness 

Smart Art (Ongoing): 

• Let’s Art Together > Join our community project as we grow a tree and garden using natural materials all week long. 
• Where do bugs live? > Sensory Bin > Explore soil and bugs, and even use the soil to plant your very own garden and watch it grow by week’s end. 

June 22 & 24
Play Partner: Friz, the education coordinator from the OC Mosquito and Vector Control District  will come to Pretend City to teach us about mosquitos and how they impact us and our environment. 

Smart Art (June 22 & 24): Mosquitos on Your Head! > Our friend Friz from OC Mosquito and Vector Control District will help us create headbands to wear home that resemble a mosquito. 

Sensational Story Time (June 22 & 24 – 11AM & 2:30 PM): Let’s learn why mosquitos are important to the care and wellbeing of the Earth. 

Music & Movement (June 22 & 24) > Now that we know more about mosquitos, we’ll engage in a fun movement activity – and maybe even become mosquitos ourselves! 

June 23
Play Partner: Environmental Nature Center/Preschool

Listen and Move (11 AM & 2:30 PM):  We’re Going on a Hike! > The ENC’s traveling naturalist is our special partner who will take us on a dramatic play habitat hike as we venture through the forest and desert to meet animal friends. Learn what these creatures like to eat, where they live, and how they sound.  

June 26 (11AM & 2:30PM)
Whole Body Movement: Yoga Tree Pose > Let’s turn our little bodies into trees! We start as a seed, become a sprout, and grow and grow into one of nature’s majestic beauties.  

Grown-up Tip: Let your child plant a seed and monitor its growth! This will give them the responsibility to take care of something, check on it, and make changes if needed. They can even keep a notebook and write down what they see every few days or weeks. Or make a hummingbird feeder and your child will perhaps make a new friend! 

RSVP: Not required
Fee: Included with museum admission