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More insight into the different animal tracks and signs left behind in the snow! In this video, we can learn how to identify different tracks so we can go out and search for them ourselves!

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CET/ThinkTV Education
Come learn about the different animal tracks and signs left behind in the snow! In this video, we can learn how to identify different tracks so we can go out and search for them ourselves!

Aired: 12/12/22

Rating: NR

Problems Playing Video? Report a Problem |

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CET/ThinkTV Education | Animal Tracking | Season 9 | PBS

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CET/ThinkTV Education Come learn about the different animal tracks and signs left behind in the snow! In this video, we can learn how to identify different tracks so we can go out and search for them ourselves! Aired: 12/12/22 Rating: NR Problems Playing Video? Report a Problem |

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5 Min:  Listen and learn the differences between a footprint and a paw print in this video led by a Dayton Metropark’s ranger. With this information, you’ll be able to find and identify tracks and signs in the winter snow

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CET/ThinkTV Education
Listen and learn the differences between a footprint and a paw print in this video led by a Dayton Metropark's ranger. With this information, you'll be able to find and identify tracks and signs in the winter snow!

Aired: 12/12/22

Rating: NR

Problems Playing Video? Report a Problem |

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CET/ThinkTV Education | Animal Tracks and Signs | Season 9 | PBS

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CET/ThinkTV Education Listen and learn the differences between a footprint and a paw print in this video led by a Dayton Metropark's ranger. With this information, you'll be able to find and identify tracks and signs in the winter snow! Aired: 12/12/22 Rating: NR Problems Playing Video?

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Even when it’s cold outside, you can still stay connected with nature! This virtual winter camp experience features learning themes focused on the season of winter. Two specific videos focus on Tracks

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Even when it's cold outside, you can still stay connected with nature! This virtual winter camp experience features learning themes focused on the season of winter. Ava, the enthusiastic camp counselor, leads campers through fun explorations of the wonders of the winter through videos, games and at home activities.

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Another way to look at why tracks should be important in our modern lives.

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Your child ’s emotional and behavior challenges could all be related to this one thing.

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When kids don’t listen, emotionally freak out, withdraw and get aggressive, they may be demonstrating signs of underdeveloped sensory-motor processing abilities.

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Preschool Promise Video Tracks in the Snow

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Preschool Promise Video Tracks in the Snow

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Five Rivers MetroParks is the community partner featured in January. We explore Tracks in the Snow together with Preschool Promise.

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Play & learn with our January Partner in Play, Five Rivers MetroParks! Full video

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Partners in Play feature Five Rivers MetroParks activity card

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Partners in Play feature Five Rivers MetroParks activity card

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Five Rivers MetroParks is the Community Partner featured in January 2022 with activities ideas for parents/teachers reading Tracks in the Snow

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Preschool Promise provides this flyer of reading prompts for parents reading Track in the Snow

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Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Mammals of Ohio Field Guide

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Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Mammals of Ohio Field Guide

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Use this guide to explore the diversity of mammals found in Ohio

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This infographic highlights different animal's gait patterns, which can be a clue to identifying the animal that left them behind

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These track cards highlight the key characteristics of several common animal tracks

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An excellent mammal guide, from behaviors, to tracks, to scat, and skulls

All ages
Not available at the Dayton Metro Library

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This story encourages children to use their imagination in exploring the natural world right outside their door

Preschool - Grade 2
Not available at the Dayton Metro Library

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As three children follow their dog, they come across several different animal tracks in the snow.

Preschool - Grade 2
Available at the Dayton Metro Library

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BOOKS, MOVIES + MUSIC NEWS JUST FOR YOU RESEARCH TOOLS YOUR 24 / 7 LIBRARY PROGRAMS

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Pocket Guide to animal tracks.

All Ages
Available at the Dayton Metro Library

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BOOKS, MOVIES + MUSIC NEWS JUST FOR YOU RESEARCH TOOLS YOUR 24 / 7 LIBRARY PROGRAMS

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"Explore the Outdoors Nature Camp is a six-day virtual camp experience to show kids and families amazing ways to enjoy nature in their own backyards. "

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Explore the Outdoors Nature Camp

Explore the Outdoors Nature Camp is a six-day virtual camp experience to show kids and families amazing ways to enjoy nature in their own backyards. In collaboration with WTTW's Nature Cat and Five River MetroParks, Ava and friends will connect kids to the great outdoors through six nature camp themes: Getting Ready for Camp, Exploring Creeks, Exploring the Forest, Art in Nature, Nature in the City, and Animal Ambassadors.

Explore the Outdoors Nature Camp is made possible by, the producers of Nature Cat,

Produced in cooperation with:

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Explore the Outdoors Nature Camp - ThinkTV

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Explore the Outdoors Nature Camp is a six-day virtual camp experience to show kids and families amazing ways to enjoy nature in their own backyards. In collaboration with WTTW's Nature Cat and Five River MetroParks, Ava and friends will connect kids to the great outdoors through six nature camp themes: Getting Ready for Camp, Exploring Creeks,Exploring the Forest, Art in Nature, Nature in the City, [...]

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Tracks in the Snow PDF of Teacher Training PowerPoint Slides

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Tracks in the Snow PDF of Teacher Training PowerPoint Slides

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Here is a copy of the slide presentation.

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Tracks in the Snow 2022 Teacher Training

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This is a great source of information for families to experience what makes our land special. Also watch for our MetroPARKWAYS publication mailed to every home in Montgomery County Ohio

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Five Rivers MetroParks hopes to collect used holiday trees for an important conservation project that will bolster aquatic habitat and improve angling opportunities at Eastwood Lake.

Drop off lights at one of seven locations and support the Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation through Monday, Jan. 31.

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Outdoor Recreation & Education | Five Rivers MetroParks

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Five Rivers MetroParks hopes to collect used holiday trees for an important conservation project that will bolster aquatic habitat and improve angling opportunities at Eastwood Lake. Drop off lights at one of seven locations and support the Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation through Monday, Jan. 31.

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Check out "Reading Rockets" for some tips and tricks to help you implement dialogic https://www.readingrockets.org/article/dialogic-reading-effective-way-read-aloud-young-children

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Dialogic Reading: An Effective Way to Read Aloud with Young Children

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Dialogic reading works. Children who have been read to dialogically are substantially ahead of children who have been read to traditionally on tests of language development. Children can jump ahead by several months in just a few weeks of dialogic reading.

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As Ohio has a winter mud season, you might explore tracks in the mud but also consider mud for other warmer activities see Teacher Resources below

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Children and Nature - 1280x854 (1) girl enoying mud

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Greater Victoria could be in for a white Christmas with snow set to start Dec. 24. (Black Press Media file photo)

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Snows change every place into a opportunity to see tracks. 

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Snows change every place into a opportunity to see tracks. 

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https://www.100milefreepress.net/news/all-of-b-c-likely-to-see-a-white-christmas-this-year-expert-predicts/

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photo credit free use requires attribution including a link back to http://creativity103.com

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Move like the animals Encourage your child to move like animals. Ask your child to hop like a frog or move on their hands and feet like a dog. Go outdoors to a side walk and bring some water to make a puddle.  Allow children to touch the water with their hands and feet and then walk on the sidewalk nearby.  If their hands and shoes get a little wet, do they notice a difference in the tracks they leave? Here’s an idea to try: Wet mittens and wet socks worn outside of your child’s shoes turn a sidewalk into a dry erase track board.

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Moving our bodies to pretend to be animals

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Moving our bodies to pretend to be animals

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Moving our bodies is a fun way to learn.  Follow up the movements with questions:  Did you like to move?  Do you thing animals like to move? How did it feel to be an animal. What animal did you pretend to be? Reference https://lemonlimeadventures.com/animal-walks-sensory-diet/

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Gross motor skills are such an important part of the healthy development and children of all ages. In fact, gross motor activities not only get the kids moving and active and allow them to release much needed energy, they also are responsible for helping children regulate their sensory needs. One of the easiest ways to include proprioceptive and vestibular input on a daily basis in our home is with Animal Walks.

This post might contain affiliate links for your convenience. Read my disclosure policy here.

What are Animal Walks?

Animal walks are simple and fun exercises that anyone can do to get a quick dose of gross motor play in their day. Simply put, they are exercises that resemble the animals they are named for. Some of the animals walks we do have classic instructions that are known throughout early childhood and physical development experts, such as the crab walk, bear walk and frog jumps.

However, the fun doesn't have to stop with the classics. Animal walks can resemble any animal and are a great way to encourage creativity while developing the important gross motor skills and providing sensory input.

Many of these movements require core strength, balance, and agility which are wonderful for sensory input and regulating the sensory systems (especially when there is a problem).

In addition Animal Walks are an excellent source of " heavy work" which is perfect for helping children that are struggling with fidgets, wiggles, and even meltdowns.

When we first learned about including heavy work into our day as part of our son's sensory diet, animal walks where the first thing we tried (before any other sensory therapy). We learned about the following animal walks and were encouraged by our occupational therapist to include them at least once an hour every day. It wasn't long before we started noticing how effective these were in calming down our son during gatherings, before school, and before homework.

Classic Animal Walks

Crab Walk | Start by squatting down close to the ground. Lean backwards and place your hands on the ground. You should look like a "table top" now. Now walk sideways, while holding your bottom off the ground and your back straight.

Bear Walk | Start in the standing position. Bend over and put both hands on the ground. Now, walk forward with the same leg and arm. So, move your right arm and right leg forward, then the left leg and arm at the same time, then repeat. For additional challenge, try keeping your legs and arms straight.

Frog Jumps | Start in the squatted position. Place your hands on the floor in between your knees. Using your feet, jump forward and land with your hands and feet on the ground.

Additional Classic Walks:

Alligator Push-ups | Have your child lay on their belly and push up into a plank with their hands and toes. As they walk have them push up with their hands while trying to keep their bodies as straight as possible.

Snake Slither | Have your child lay on their belly and put their hands to their sides. Wiggling their hips and shoulders side to side, have them try to move forward across the floor without using their hands.

Kid-Made Animal Walks

Donkey Kicks | Starting in the standing position, lean over and put both hands and both feet on the ground. When the area around you is clear, jump with your legs and kick behind you, leaving your hands on the ground.

Turtle Crawl | Starting in the kneeling position, curl your back over and put your elbows on the ground. Keeping your bottom on your heels, and your elbows and hands on the ground, pull yourself forward in a slow motion.

Kangaroo Jumps | Starting in the standing position, put both feet together and squat down. Jump as high as you can using only your feet, and no hands.

Additional Kid-Made Animal Walks

Whale Swim | Laying on your stomach, with your arms stretched in front of you, rock back and forth on your hips. This takes a lot of core strength and can take some time to get used to.

Gorilla Walk | Start in the squatted position with your hands at your chest. Walk down the hall while staying in the squatted position. For added gross motor exercise, try beating your chest with your fist as you walk.

Inchworm Crawl | Start in a standing position and bend over with your hands and feet touch the floor. Try touching the floor as close to your toes as you can. Then slowly walk your hands away from your feet, as far as you can. Finally walk your feet back to your hands, always keeping your hands on the ground. Repeat this until you have walked across the room.

Elephant Walk | Start in the standing position and bend over with your hands held together. Keeping your back straight and parallel with the floor, hang your hands under your shoulders and swing them back and forth as you walk with straight legs across the floor.

Octopus Wiggles | Start in the seated position on the floor. Attempt to lift both legs off the ground at the same time while wiggling your legs and arms.

Gross Motor Play A-Z

I am excited to be part of this wonderful series of activities for developing gross motor skills hosted by Still Playing School. Each day there will be a new activity and a new resource for you. You will want to pin, bookmark or share this post so you have it for later.

In addition to 26 active play gross motor ideas from the very best kid blogs available, we will also be offering our readers a chance to win a Parachute Play Pack worth from our series' sponsor Discount School Supply! Enter to win below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Are you looking for simple exercises to add to your child's sensory diet? These 15 animal walks are excellent for gross motor development and sensory input.

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For Teachers within Montgomery County Ohio Schedule Live Q&A

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For Teachers within Montgomery County Ohio Schedule Live Q&A

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Teachers who want to schedule your own class virtual Q&A with MetroPark staff based on the book and activities for Tracks in the Snow, contact Doug at dhorvath@metroparks.org

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Teachers should read this to help children walk like four footed animals as an ADVANCED activity.

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Teachers should read this to help children walk like four footed animals as an ADVANCED activity.

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Walk on all fours by moving only one hand or foot at a time so the three on the ground make a stable triangle. Try left foot, then left hand, then right foot, then right hand.... Repeat

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Continue your discussions through the book, then try other relevant activities and then read the book again and again.

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As you read this book with children, take time to have these conversations.

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This is another padlet resource created by FRMP with a focus on mud activities that help engage preschoolers.

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If the seed pile has been disturbed look closely at the mud.  If no activity you may have to add a bit of water to keep the smooth mud soft, so tracks are easy to make when animals come.

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Birdseed like sunflower or mixed seed in a small pile works well.  You can use peanuts or almonds or breadcrumbs too if you don't have birdseed.

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Step 5 Add birdseed mix or another tasty animal bait.

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Step 5 Add birdseed mix or another tasty animal bait.

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Use your fingers and smooth the soil into a flat layer (Hint, this mud can be used to make great hand mud print tracks on a sidewalk or side of a tree)

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Use a small amount of water to soften the soil

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Step 1 Find a spot in your yard for the Track Trap

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Step 1 Find a spot in your yard for the Track Trap

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Dig a shallow level circle

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Pull off the grass sod (save it nearby to put back later)

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Both Snow and Mud can provide great educational opportunities and just good fun.  If you have a mud day, consider investing in Mud Buddies (coveralls) and boots so the mud doesn't impact your facility but you also can use it for learning. See Mud Activities under Teacher Resources below.
Snow is also wonderful when you are dressed to explore in it. Several hours after a snowfall is a great time to start looking for tracks but in Ohio don't wait too long otherwise it might melt. Take time to use this educational opportunity when it happens.

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Creating a path of animal tracks that kids can follow in the hallways?

consider buying track decals such as https://smile.amazon.com/VWAQ-Bear-Print-Floor-Decals/dp/B084TWRVQM?pd_rd_w=3t5Xt&pf_rd_p=5bc65336-a8b0-4888-9e70-4d4ce2f6bd59&pf_rd_r=XASZX0FQZJM1V39FW2MF&pd_rd_r=0d16e815-a1a8-43e7-8770-bac465fe7bd0&pd_rd_wg=gbUaL&pd_rd_i=B084TWRVQM&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_rp_7_i

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VWAQ Bear Paw Print Floor Decals - Peel and Stick Footprint Wall Decals - 36 PCS (Black)

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Pack of 36 Bear Footprints Peel and Stick Vinyl Decals. Each Footprint Decal Measures 4"H X 3.25"W. Great for Apartments, Dorms and Homes as it is easily removable. Can be applied to walls and hard floors (Not Intended For Carpet). Makes a great addition to any room in your home or office.

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Come in with bucket or smooth mud that we can spread out in an area. Place bird seed in the middle, wait for birds to come and leave tracks! Click on each step to see a larger photo of the process.

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Movement makes different track patterns ADVANCED

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Movement makes different track patterns ADVANCED

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Have children move and observe their footsteps
Walking (children walk slow and steady)
(note when deer or dogs walk they only move one foot at a time)
Trotting or running (children have a spring in their step)
(Note when deer or dogs trot they move two feet at a time: pick up left hind and right front feet together, then pick up right hind and left front.  Kinda of prance back and forth)
Gallop or Hop (children move both feet together)
(Note when deer or dogs gallop they extent both front feet together then bring up both rear feet. repeat.)

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Read "Tracks in the Snow" with your class!

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Read "Tracks in the Snow" with your class!

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We suggest reading this book several times with the class until they become familiar. Use a dialogic reading strategies, referencing the pictures, and helping students make connections

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Outline of Activities for a sample classroom experience. 

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Outline of Activities for a sample classroom experience. 

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1 Sit down in circle, give hi fives, introduce self and parks with a map and show Tracks in the Snow book
2 Open to page about putting on mittens (have mittens and hat to show) discuss getting dressed to play outdoors in winter
3 Ask children if they like going outdoors, do they use their imaginations? Show photo of clouds.  Ask if they seen an animal image?
4 Have children look at and touch their hands and feet, are they different.   Do they make tracks if they are wet or muddy.   Show photo of tracks.
5 Ask children if they ever see live animals outside? Do they leave tracks?   Bring out box turtle and sit it on a flat wet sponge in middle of paper.  If it moves watch for tracks.
6 Have children pretend to move like animals.   Walk on all fours.
7 Have children return to circle and close eyes.  Share out loud a guided imagery of falling snow and animals moving.  Take white sheets with animal track patterns on them and spread them in the middle. Have children open their eyes. Ask what do they see.  (have them pretend it is snow)
8 Have 2-3 volunteers point out some tracks they see.  Show children photo of animal that made those tracks and pass around a fur or bones of that animal for touching. Talk about how these animals also live outside around us and that parks are really good homes for them.
9 If time and facility allow, take children outside to make a Track Trap and look for animal signs in their school yard.
10 Thank Children and share you hope they continue to explore and play outdoors.  End program with children going back inside.

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PreK: Self – Show awareness of themselves belonging to one or more groups

PreK: Empathy – Show regard for the feelings of other living things

PreK: Initiative – Asks questions to seek explanations about phenomena of interest

PreK: Geometry – Demonstrates the understanding of the relative position of objects

PreK: Science – inquiry

PreK: Science – Earth and Space: With modeling and support, develop understanding of the relationship between humans and nature; recognizing the difference between helpful and harmful actions toward the natural environment.

PreK: Science – Life

PreK: Motor Development – Large muscles

PreK: Physical Wellbeing – Body Awareness

K.LS.1: living things have specific characteristics and traits

K.LS.2: Living things have physical traits and behaviors, which influence their survival

SL.K.5: Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail

SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly

K.CC.5: Count to answer “how many

K.PE.LS.1: Demonstrate walk, run and slide locomotor skills using critical elements.

K.PE.LS.2: Explore locomotor skills of jump, gallop, skip, hop and leap in a stable environment.

K.FA.1PR: Drama – Imitate movements, voices and feelings of people, animals and objects through dramatic play

K.FA.2PR: Art – Generate ideas and images for artwork based on observation, memory, imagination and experience.

K.SS.5: Terms related to direction and distance, as well as symbols and landmarks, can be used to talk about the relative location of familiar places.

K.SS.6: Models and maps represent real places

K.SS.8: Individuals are unique but share common characteristics of multiple groups.

K.SS.9: Individuals share responsibilities and take action toward the achievement of common goals in homes, schools and communities.

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Mud Play for Kids: Why it's Worth the Mess

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Mud Play for Kids: Why it's Worth the Mess

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If you had a childhood that included digging for colorful rocks and other "treasures," or burying your very own time capsule in the dirt, you're very fortunate!

Mud play is not only a way to make precious childhood memories, it's also a great way for children to learn, relax, and let out their creativity.

Medical research shows that it can also be good for your child's physical and emotional health. And you can't start too early - even babies can benefit from mud play!

Here's more on why making mud pies and other kinds of mud play are great activities for a healthy child, plus details on how to make sure it's safe.

The very word "mud" might make your skin crawl. Whether it's a park, playground, or in your own backyard, a muddy mess is probably what you want your child to stay away from. But a mess is what washing machines are for.

Mud play is like playing in a sandbox or on a beach, except it's an activity with mud, which is just wet or damp dirt.

Children can squish, dig, pile, or push mud around. They can also jump, splash, and slide in mud or even throw it against a wall! One really good thing about mud is that it's free and readily available.

If you're concerned that germs in mud might affect your child's health, the Mayo Clinic confirms that playing in the mud can be healthy for your little one in more ways than one. Benefits of mud play for children include:

Healthier immune system

The germs found in mud may help strengthen your child's immune system. In fact, living (and playing) in an environment that is too clean may increase the risk of illnesses such as allergies and asthma.

This is more reason to start mud play for your child early! Up to 50 percent of children may have illnesses that cause wheezing and other problems during the first 3 years of childhood.

Research from 2014 on young children living in urban environments reported that those who were exposed to household germs like pet dander, dust, and other specific allergens before the age of 1 year had a lower risk of developing allergies and recurring wheezing later in childhood.

Mud play is one way to expose your little one to these beneficial germs.

Another small study from 2016 found that children who were raised on nonindustrial farms were less likely to develop asthma than those who were not.

Gut health

Mud play may help increase the diversity of friendly bacteria in the body.

A medical study in Finland found that children in day care who played in yards with soil and vegetation had more types of gut bacteria than children in day cares with yards that had less natural space.

Emotional health and creativity

Mud play allows children to connect and interact with the natural world around them. It helps children develop tactile skills with sensory play. Mud play and other outdoor activities not only get them away from screens, but give children fresh air, exercise, and sunlight.

Mud play is also a teaching tool that can help children boost creativity, imagination, independent learning, and teamwork. It can also help develop construction, building, and problem-solving skills.

Some environmental advocates have also suggested mud-playing as an important teaching tool that can even address the complexities of gender and class.

Providing mud-playing opportunities for your child can be as simple as taking them out after a rainy day to explore muddy puddles.

Or if you prefer to keep the mud a little more controlled, let your child play with mud in a shallow bucket or a large bowl on a porch or in the bath.

A few other tips:

Always keep an eye on babies and smaller children during mud play. While they may get some in their mouth or on their face, avoid letting them eat mud or get it in their eyes while they squish and explore. The rest is fair game!

Let them take the lead. Some children may love the glorious mess of mud, while others might prefer to keep it cleaner. Let your child decide how messy they want to get.

Set mud rules. These should be basics like no throwing mud at other children (or at you).

Dress for the mess. Make sure your child knows that they should only wear shoes and clothing that they are allowed to get muddy during mud play.

Provide some tools. Kitchen implements like plastic containers or spoons are great, as are small plastic cars or animals.

Activities with mud play are just about endless! Here are some ideas:

Mold mud into pretend muffins, donuts, and cookies.

Make mud bricks to build a dollhouse or mini fort.

Make mud castles and buildings.

Paint and write with mud using a large paintbrush on the sidewalk.

Make a mud digging and construction site for toy trucks.

Make a mud racetrack or roads for toy cars.

Throw mud balls against a wall or cardboard target.

Mud play can be healthy and beneficial for children and even babies under the age of 1 year! Squishing and patting mud is a great way for your child to get tactile and develop learning skills with sensory play.

It also helps children get used to their natural environment and playing outdoors (and away from screens).

Don't worry that mud is "dirty." Exposure to some germs and good bacteria in early childhood may create healthier immune systems that are less vulnerable to allergies and certain diseases.

Doctors suggest starting mud play early, so take your baby outside and let them play with mud. As long as they don't eat too much mud and avoid getting it in their eyes, nose or ears, mud play is generally safe and healthy.

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Mud Play for Kids: Why It's Worth the Mess

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If you had a childhood that included digging for colorful rocks and other "treasures," or burying your very own time capsule in the dirt, you're very fortunate! Mud play is not only a way to make precious childhood memories, it's also a great way for children to learn, relax, and let out their creativity.

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Make Nature Paint Brushes/ Paint with Mud

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Make Nature Paint Brushes/ Paint with Mud

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Depending on the size of the class/ time available you can collect materials before, or you can let the kids collect their own materials outside. To make the paint brushes you will need a twig and something for the bristles (grass, flowers, leaves, etc.) You can use a rubber band or some string to tie the pieces together.
The other main component of this activity is a bucket of mud! If you're lucky enough to have a rainy day you can just collect the mud outside or you can create your own by mixing dirt and water. I would suggest a big piece of paper to cover the table so there is less mess. Let the kids "paint" what ever theyd like! The idea is getting them comfortable with natural materials and having fun getting dirty!

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For this activity you will either be provided with or make your own animal foot print cards!
One card will have a picture of the animal, the other the prints that they leave behind. The idea is to patch the animal to it's tracks!

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This can be done with "Magic Model" clay, or any play dough you have on hand. Using a plastic animal and having them stomp through the "snow". The animals will leave their tracks behind. If you use material that can dry out you can keep these and even use them as ornaments to take home!
Alternative:
Using the same plastic animals the children can dip the feet in brown paint, and track them along a white sheet of paper. This will leave "muddy" animal tracks!