Free children’s nature playgroup begins January 3 in Superior

The free Winter Rovers Nature Playgroup for children ages 3 to 7 begins Thursday, Jan. 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Lake Superior Estuarium located at 3 Marina Drive on Barker’s Island in Superior.
 
Winter Rovers is a free series that includes nature activities, crafts, games, snacks, and stories led by professional education staff at the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve. Additional sessions will take place Saturday, Jan. 5, from 10 a.m. to noon; Thursday, Jan. 10, from 2 to 4 p.m.; and Saturday, Jan. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon.
 
Winter Rovers and other nature play programs support life-long science learning. Nature play also offers many benefits to young children. A study conducted in Sweden compared motor skill development with children whose preschool spent two hours a day in the natural outdoors vs. traditional playground playtime. By the end of the year, the students that had nature as a playground outperformed their traditional playground peers. Others studies have shown that when children experience nature at an early age, their brain development improves for problem solving and creative thinking as well as increasing chances of becoming life-long outdoor enthusiasts. 
 
Parents or caretakers should attend with their children for the duration of the program. No preregistration is necessary and children can join for one event or the entire series. For more information on Winter Rovers Nature Playgroup, call education coordinator Deanna Erickson at (715) 399-4086