I have to admit that I didn't know what an ossicone is until this year. Until I was asked by my toddler what the funny horn things are called on a giraffe and had to Google it! The giraffe in question wasn't even a real giraffe, but his baby brother's toy that bears little resemblance to the real thing. "Gerald" the giraffe is white and green, doesn't have a long neck, but bizarrely it does have ossicones. In fact, I think that's the only defining feature that makes Gerald a giraffe at all. So to save you a Google search, ossicones are the "pair of bony protuberances, covered in skin and hair, on the head of a giraffe". For anyone who really wants to read more about ossicones, try the Giraffe Conservation Foundation website.
Gerald the giraffe |
So what about the oxygen? Well, that's another word my toddler has learnt, inspired by Maddie's Do You Know on CBeebies (a brilliant programme in my opinion). He's got a lot to learn about oxygen though, and hopefully he and his brother will learn some of that through things we do together and be inspired to learn more about the world around them too. My background is in molecular biology, although I've studied a fair amount of other sorts of biology, chemistry and a bit of physics and maths. I am endeavouring to find things to do to let my boys have fun playing, but also to draw a bit on my slightly rusty knowledge to find activities that help them to understand aspects of science and maths.
I hope you enjoy reading and my ideas spark some of your own! Do leave a message if you have any thoughts, positive or negative!
I hope you enjoy reading and my ideas spark some of your own! Do leave a message if you have any thoughts, positive or negative!
Absolutely love the name of the blog and the whole idea around it!! I've always loved teaching my children through play and being outdoors, so it's great to get inspiration from other parents. My youngest is a HUGE fan of science and will love these ideas. Especially can't wait to try the sundial one, when we have some sunshine 😃
ReplyDeleteThank you! That's lovely to read :-) I hope your little one enjoys trying some of the activities and there's a sunny day before too long when you can try the sundial!
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