Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Pre-school solar system, constellations,--any activity ideas?

My DD3.9 is very interested in constellations and planets right now and I was trying to come up with some fun activities for her and wondered if anyone had any ideas. I am also thinking of getting her globe for her bithday and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. Thanks!

edited to add that we found balls to be the planets and she set up a solar system and we talked about orbits, planets, the sun, etc. She loved it so much she was shaking. Anyone else's kid shake and shiver when they are excited? I also found some coloring pages online that she used. She also drew some constellations by looking in a book. Anyone use a telescope?

Does your DD like puzzles? We made a globe out of puzzle pieces which was fun but took quite a long time as it was made out of 540 pieces (by Esphera 360). Ravensburger has globes that have fewer puzzle pieces (as few as 100) to build a globe. Ravensburger also sells a set of solar system ball puzzles (8 individual puzzle balls).

You could get some star stickers or magnets or felt/velcro pieces and play what DS4 calls the constellation game--we take turns making "constellations" with the pieces and guessing what the other person has created (it's kind of like finding pictures in the clouds).

We also make a lot of playdoh planets, sing a bunch of space songs (I have a whole iTunes playlist set up), and read space books. DS is also just happy drawing picture after picture of the solar system. There's also a fun kids TV show called the Zula Patrol that teaches about space and planets--one of their dvds is more planet and space focused than the other.

If you're thinking of going low tech for a globe, I'd recommend getting one that's inflatable and see-through. Makes it easier to see what's on the other side from where you are.

The leapster talking globe is FANTASTIC! They don't make it anymore but, you can still buy it on worldglobes web site:
http://www.worldglobes.com/educational-globes/interactive/leapfrogregexplorersmartglobe.cfm
That is where we bought ours. The first one we bought didn't work right so they got us switched out no problem and DS loves it so much.
There are several youtube videos of it too if you are interested.

I've never tried this - and don't know many people who use real camera film anymore - but if you could get your hands on some, this is fun. You could probably improvise, also, with cardboard tubes/black paper ?? http://space.about.com/od/backyardscience/ss/constellcannist.htm

Thanks I LOVE that globe. I think I am going to buy it. At what age did your DS start to use this?

Aw,it sounds like our kids like some of the same things. I have never heard of that video. I will check it out. I like the idea of the inflatable globe, but after someone posted a link to a snazzy LeapFrog one, I am thinking of going high tech :-)

You know, I wish she would do more puzzles. Those sounds like great activities. She went through a phase at 2 where she was into them and she is great at puzzles, but right now, she isn't interested. Maybe she will go through another phase where she likes them. I like them because they are potentially a quiet activity and quiet doesn't happen much around here :-)

Yes, my ds9 will shake his hands and whole body when he's really excited about something.
We did a similar solar system thing at one point, using marbles, talking about which ones looked most like the planets, the various moons, how big the sun would have to be, etc.

Have you considered binoculars or a telescope? Telescope might be a bit much for a 3-4 year old, binoculars give a pretty good view of the moon and some clusters of stars, and I think you might even see the moons of Jupiter if you try. Binoculars are easier for younger kids to see with, too.

Thanks, I was wondering about a telescope or binoculars. I may look into that.

I guess we have two shakers. It takes so little to get her excited and she will just shake all over with her hands by her sides and leaning forward. I bet if I got her binoculars, she would shake off the Richter scale :-)