What Do You See/Hear? Walk

One of the things I love about the What Do You See/Hear? books by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle (the series includes Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? and Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?) is how many ways you can extend the books into every day teachable moments! One of the easiest ways to do this is by going on a What Do You See/Hear? walk with your child! 

A what do you see/hear walk can happen anywhere, anytime and in almost any situation. Walking to your neighborhood park, strolling through the grocery isles, or padding down the beach on your family vacation are all wonderful opportunities to have a what do you see/hear? walk with just two of you or your entire family!

Start out with your chil(ren). As you walk say to them "Bobby, Bobby, What do you see?" and have them point out something that they see as you are walking. "I see the neighbors dog looking at me!". Then, Bobby gets a chance to ask "Mommy, Mommy, What do you see?" and Mommy (or whoever 'Bobby' chose...it could be Daddy, Grandma, Anna, or anyone else on the walk with you!) gets a chance to point out something they see. "I see a pretty bird looking at me!

Extend the fun, using all of your senses as you walk! "Anna, Anna, what do you hear?" "I hear the waves crashing in my ear!" or asking "Daddy, Daddy, what do you smell?" "I smell cookies baking, but shhhh, don't tell!" "Grandmama, Grandmama, what can you touch?" "I touch smooth berries growing on a bush!" Not only can you use all of your senses on your walk, but you can work on rhyming words with your child as well! 

I hope you have fun! With a little imagination, every moment can be a teachable moment for you and your child! (This can also be done as a classroom event! Take a walk around the playground or school taking turns telling what you see/hear/smell/etc.) After going for your walk, why not make your very own What Do You See/Hear? Book as a family/class?!