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Nature center offers outdoor classroom
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Children looked at the ducks and geese at Mill Creek Park's Lilly Pond while learning about what not to feed them. The Preschool Nature Hour features a different theme each month.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Youngstown's Isabella Cutlip (left) looked curiously at a box turtle while Canfield's Marley Bradt went to touch it. Children learned about turtles during the Ford Nature Center's Preschool Nature Hour Sept. 24.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Ford Nature Center Naturalist Carol Vigorito read a book about box turtles to Preschool Nature Hour participants Sept. 24. Vigorito has been working at the nature center for 14 years.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .The Preschool Nature Hour was held at Mill Creek Park's Lilly Pond Sept. 24 instead of at the Ford Nature Center. Parents and children were guided around the pond by Naturalist Carol Vigorito (right) while searching for turtles.
By SHAIYLA HAKEEM
Sometimes, learning is as easy as a walk in the park.
Ford Nature Center’s Preschool Nature Hour met at Mill Creek Park’s Lily Pond Sept. 24 for a lesson on turtles. Naturalist Carol Vigorito led the group around the pond in search of turtles, while talking about other pond inhabitants such as the ducks, geese and fish.
Vigorito has been teaching at the center for 14 years and is the primary instructor for the center’s Preschool Nature Hour. She leads participants in educational stories, interactive activities and teaches them fun facts about the environment and its animals.
The purpose of the more than 20-year-old program is to expose kids to nature at an early age and help them develop enthusiasm and respect for nature. It is held twice a month with each month focusing on a specific theme.
October’s theme, “Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf,” will teach kids about Autumn and changes that occur in nature. During the program, kids will talk about why animals are collecting food, what happens to the animals in the winter and the changes that trees go through. They will also go outside to find different leaves to compare in color and shape.
“Who doesn’t like going out and looking for leaves?” Vigorito said. “We want to make the seasons fun for the kids.”
Vigorito said the program is used to enlighten children on their surroundings while making it interesting and enjoyable. It is also intended to educate the parents who accompany the children. Topics vary from seasonal changes and animals to specific habitats and marine life.
“I feel it is important to acquaint children with nature,” Vigorito said. “It is also important for them to get accurate information, even at the early age, about animals and their environment.”
The nature hour is geared to children ranging from 3 to 5 years old. The next program will be held at the Ford Nature Center Oct. 29 at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. For information, visit millcreekmetroparks.org.