What you need:
   
    *   Bag or box to hold collected objects
    *   Soap and water or disposable cleaning wipes

    What to do:

    1.   Go for a walk outside with your child anc collect natural materials such as small rocks, sticks, twigs and dried leves that you find on the ground.
    2.   Find a safe open area where all the collected items can be spread out and examined.
    3.   Encourage your child to sort the objects into piles of the same kinds of items. Talk about how the items in each pile are alike and different.
    4.   Ask your child to sort the objects in a different way and ask him/her why he/she grouped them that way.
    5.   Have him/her guess how many items are in each pile. Follow up by asking questions such as, "which pile do you think has the most? Which has the least?"
    6.   Confirm guesses by actually counting the items with him/her.

   
This project is found in the Learning To Grow Activity Book for Young Preschoolers.

Enjoy this hot Summer month with some healthy smoothies:

ORANGE SHAKE
Blend together in a blender.
    *   1 cup orange juice
    *   1 cup milk
    *   one peeled banana
    *   dash of vanilla
Makes 2-4 servings.

PURPLE COW
    *Same as recipe above, except use purple grape juice instead of orange juice
    *And leave out the vanilla.
Alternative: Vanilla ice cream can be used in place of milk and bananas.