O is for Owls: Themed Activities

Picking up on the previous post about the importance of building up your observation skills, I am today focusing on a keen observer in nature, the owl.

With a child in your life, research owls in books, online and in nature as well.

Regarding their eyesight. I would like to highlight three specific facts.

1.  Owls need to be excellent observers for the sake of their survival.  If they cannot see their prey, they will miss their opportunities to capture it as food. So owls are evidence of the importance of observation skills!😎

2.  Owls can see at a distance. They do not just look at what is immediately in front of them.  This is key not just in what we physically see but also in how we 'see' a situation. Can you see beyond the moment and know that there is more to a situation than first meets the eye?

3. Owls can see at night.  How do you see in the darkest moments of life?  What is your perspective on the challenges you face?  Like owls, consider how to adjust to let in more light to help you see things better and improve your vision.

As you talk with your children about a small detail like an owl's vision, be sure to expand on the moment and show the child(ren) in your life about how facts relate to them.  

What did you learn from the information?  

What does it remind you of in the world around you? ex. It makes you think of other birds or other forest animals or other night animals

How does it apply to self?  This could be a life lesson like the ones above or a connection to a time they saw an owl or to a cherished memory of grandma reading them a book with an owl in it. (Owl Moon is coming up next)

Another popular concept pertaining to owls is the concept of wisdom.  Why do we say it is a 'wise, old owl'?  What is wisdom?  Why do we value it? How do we obtain it?

Another consideration as you look at owls is that each owl is unique. They come in a variety of shapes and designs. They vary in their strengths and weaknesses. This is true of the child(ren) in your life also so treat them according to who they are as individuals.  Let them use their strengths and support them when it comes to areas of weakness.

Activities:

Relevant Books:  Owl Moon, National Geographic: Owls, Owl Babies, That's Not My Owl and People of the Owl are a few suggestions. The picture provides more examples.

There are many craft ideas that are simple and diverse. They are easy to find online.

A bin of feathers and playdough is an option for sensory

Having an 'O is for Owl' colouring page is an option and useful for practicing writing Os.

Matching different colours of owls (simple) or different species (more complex) is fun.

Studying an owl's nest or trying to build a nest is appropriate for someone who likes science

If you live in the GTA, The Toronto Zoo, Hillside Outdoor Education Centre, and Royal Ontario Museum are some good places to learn about owls.  Ecospark and Friends of the Rouge Watershed may also have opportunities to help protect owl habitats that you can join.

Whatever the subject of interest, be sure to expand on the topic and optimize the interest in the subject to help your child(ren) grow as individuals as well as in their skills pertaining to reading, writing, listening and speaking.  In it all, have fun!

 

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