Winter Clouds
As the temperature
stays in the low-30s here in the upstate of South Carolina, it is the perfect
time to see some backyard science at work. Clouds are a great example. So, on a
chilly day, bundle up and let’s explore how nature works!
Moisture rises from the earth, getting colder the higher it
rises. The cold droplets of water stick together to form clouds, we know this
because water likes to stick together. Demonstrate this phenomenon by breathing
into the cold air. What you see coming out from your mouth is a cloud! You are
breathing out warm, moist air which is also water vapor. When this vapor hits
the cold air it is condensed to create a cloud. However people do not make all the
clouds we see high up in the sky. Those clouds are created by a much stronger
force of nature, like the moisture from the ocean, lakes, rivers, and ponds.
Let’s do more!
Go outside with your little explorer on a day with big
fluffy clouds in the sky. Lie down in a pile of cozy blankets and watch the
clouds. Encourage your child to discuss the different shapes. Do the clouds
look like anything familiar to them? Does your child think that clouds have a
story? Ask your child where they think the clouds are going and what you think
they will do when they get there? The sillier the better!
When you make up creative stories and engage in imaginary
play with your child, they have an opportunity to expand their own vocabulary,
and flex their sense of imagination. Nature provides these opportunities for
developing the imagination area of a child’s brain. When you participate in
these opportunities with your child, they learn more words and grow in many
ways.
Do you want to make
some clouds inside your kitchen?
Here is what you will need:
·
A jar with a lid
·
Hairspray
·
Ice cubes
·
Some boiling water (enough to fill your jar at
least half way).
First step is to boil your water. Once you have your hot water,
pour it into the jar. Then quickly spray the hairspray inside the jar, screw
the lid on and place the ice on top. The hairspray acts as a surface for the
water vapor to condense into tiny droplets. A cloud should start to form inside
the jar!
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