Having fun with Nature Eye Spy Cards

Nature Eye Spy Cards support children to observe the natural world. Helping them to compare and talk about the differences and similarities in nature, they are a great way to encourage language and observational skills. A fantastic activity for children in city or urban areas, the cards are able to be used by children of all ages and abilities.

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Materials needed

• Images of nature
• Stiff paper or card
• Glue
• Small cup of water
• Brush
• Scissors
• Small bags

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How to

1. Apply glue to the backs of your nature images and stick them to your cardboard
2. Combine some PVA glue and water to create a varnish
3. Apply the varnish to the surface of the photos and leave to dry
4. Cut out the photos into even sizes and store in a small carry bag

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Teaching Strategies

• Add more images over time so that children can extend their exploration
• Add images of unfamiliar things to spark conversation and further inquiry
• Encourage children to work together in pairs or small groups to support conversations and sharing
• Invite children to share what they found with you or other children
• Encourage children to make their own set of Eye Spy Cards to take home and use with family
• Invite children to bring in their own images from home
• Mix it up and create a nature bingo card for children who are older
• Introduce words as well as images to support children who are interested in early literacy concepts
• Don’t forget to consider that the world looks different from a children’s height, and include images from their perspective 

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Possible learning outcomes

• Mathematical concepts - Comparing, contrasting, sorting or classifying items in nature
• Language and communication - Developing descriptive language skills and engaging in conversations with other children when working in small groups or pairs
• Social development - Collaborative team work as children work together to find the clues
• Focusing attention and concentrating - Observing surroundings and identifying when they find an object to match the image on each card. Deciphering if they have found the correct item, or if it something similar
• Problem solving skills

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