Children are natural scientists – questioning, comparing, observing – that’s exactly what a group of 0-5 year olds got to do during Our Day Outside at Placer Nature Center.

In a series of six free Saturday classes sponsored by First 5 Placer, the Placer Nature Center was full of small Nature Detectives (and their parents) looking through hand lenses, magnifiers, walking the nature trail, observing the see-through bee hive and doing nature explorations. Activities were led by specially trained docents who love to share nature with children.

What interests a child keeps their focused – there was plenty to explore in the soil, water and air each class. The October class was focused on leaves and seeds, the November 15th class will look at habitats and different places to live.

It’s these little experiences that help improvement brain development, strengthening observation skills and preparing the youngsters for school, a focus of the Placer Nature Center. Studies have shown that many leaders of today were influenced by two main reasons. First, as young children, they were given plenty of opportunity for outdoor play. Secondly, parents or another respected adult were part of that experience.

Placer Nature Center offers six different Our Day Outside classes, from October to April each year. Each free class runs from 9:30 AM to 11:30 PM, on Saturdays.

Topics range from habitat to birds to water and are offered for children 0-5 years old and their parents or caregivers. For more information call 530-878-6053 or email events@placernaturecenter.org

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Also open for exploration will be the Nature Center’s Main Exhibit Hall and WaterShed Learning Center, Discovery Lab, Maidu Village, Demonstration Garden and The Nature Shop.

The Placer Nature Center is a nonprofit organization open to the public offering family hiking trails and programs for children, youths and adults. Programs for all-ages include monthly Family Days, astronomy classes, environmental lectures and seasonal workshops.

PNC also runs on-site and off-site educational programs for school groups. For information please visit www.placernaturecenter.org or call 530-878-6053. To date Placer Nature Center has served nearly 180,000 students and 200 teachers.