learning about hibernation through pretend play

Which is exactly what we did!

We started by talking about where bears go when it gets cold and what they might use to make their hibernation spot more comfortable.

The girls thought their princess tent filled with pillows and blankets would make the perfect bear cave.

But the tent was not as dark as they thought a cave would be. So more blankets were needed!

Then they settled in to hibernate like bears do!

Sam quickly decided that bears must get very bored while they hibernate and she decided it would be better if they had books! Hibernating quickly turned into very comfortable reading time! HA!

But this pretend play got us to have great conversations about why some animals hibernate and others don't. And what it must be like to hibernate.

Love when pretend play can directly lead to learning some great lessons about the animals around us.

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The Nitty Gritty!

We set this all up in the morning and the timing worked out perfect that when they were tired of pretending to be bears it was lunch time. This gave me the perfect opportunity to talk about how hungry animals must be when they finally wake up for spring. The girls had fun pretending it was finally spring and they could eat again! I think it also led them to eat a bigger lunch!!

We learned about squirrels in winter here.

Comments

[The Iowa Farmer's Wife]

What fun! We might need to try this with our tent and tunnel!

[C. Browne (trails tents and tireless kids)]

My boys love to do this. Their favorite animal right now is a coyote. They learned quickly that books and snacks make for the best times in a cave or den (for them any way!) Your girls are so cute. I just love watching little minds at work especially during pretend play.

[Abbie]

It made quite a mess but was a lot of fun! And a great way to start teaching them about what some animals do in winter.

[Abbie]

My girls would freak out if I let them eat their snack in the princess tent! Can't believe I haven't thought of that. It will probably lead to quite a mess but it might be worth it as a treat someday soon.
Thanks for the idea!