A Day at the Zoo – Several things to tell your children before you go to the zoo
But now, as an adult, I often find myself wondering if the animals that are caged up are happy and healthy. Learning about how zoo animals are being taken care of both physically and emotionally is a topic of new interest to me and could be a good starting point for parents and teachers as they introduce toddlers and young children to the zoo and all the zoo animals.
Here are some zoo animal facts I think are important to go over with your child: these are several common zoo animal questions/concerns to address with your toddlers and young children before going to the zoo for the first time or when playing zoo, or playing with zoo play sets.
One of the most important parts of animal care in a zoo is their enrichment. Enrichment is made up of the many ways in which the zookeepers provide zoo animals with the opportunities to express their own species-typical behaviors. Enrichment also provides zoo animals with an occupation; something to do with their time.
The enrichment animals receive come in forms of:
· new or unusual item or experience
· design of the enclosure
· interactions with same species, other species & humans
When teaching your child about a particular zoo animal you can explain that each animal has to receive mental stimulation as well as physical exercise. Children should be taught that animals, as well as people, have choices and some control over their environment. Knowing this, children will assured that the caged up animals are happy and content.
Does your child love bright red balls? Well, so do zoo animals! A bright rubber ball is one âunusual itemâ zookeepers often give some animals. The animals can butt this ball with their heads. A bear that is given a mirror will think that he is seeing himself for the first time - that he has a new rival, and he will practice âIâm bigger than youâ actions.
Your children will be interested to learn that elephants enjoy a chain with different-sized metal pipes hanging from it. When the elephants manipulate the pipes and swing them together they make âmusicâ. This is fascinating for them and entertains them throughout the day thereby keeping them from getting bored. A happy elephant is more fun to be around!
To continue your childâs early learning zoo education it is a good idea to provide him with zoo coloring pages, crafts and actual zoo play sets. I found a wonderful website from the San Diego Zoo (key in .org/kids/index.html after sandiegozoo) where you can find plenty of ideas.
Even better, get your child a wooden zoo play set! Having many animals to play with will open up many teaching opportunities for both teachers and parents. As your child plays creatively you can ask him open-ended questions and âleadâ his playtime to learning experiences he will long remember.
Shop around on the Internet for zoo play sets and find the perfect one for your child. You want to remember to make sure it is made out of hardwood so there are no splinters. Of utmost importance you will also want to select handcrafted and hand-painted toys with child safe, lead-free paint to assure you of a quality, safe toy for your toddler and young child. Information about one such product is listed below and is sold on our website.
A Day at the Zoo, a wooden that includes a fabulous zoo entrance, 11 hand-painted animals, a penguin pond and 4 fence pieces will provide hours of creative fun play for your child. There are animals such as:
· mom and baby elephant
· lion
· kangaroo
· giraffe
· monkeys
Now that your child has had some pre-zoo and zoo animal lessons pack a picnic lunch and schedule a day at the zoo with your family. There is nothing like a day in the sun to go see all the wonderful African animals, sea life, birds and so much more.
Your child will be delighted to actually see the animals that you had previously introduced and talked about in their natural habitat. His lessons will âcome aliveâ! (What better way to learn.) Your childâs trip to the zoo and the new learning adventures he experiences at the zoo can be incorporated into his playtime when he comes home and many months or years thereafter.
For bountiful teaching opportunities that you will be able to talk to your children about all summer long plan a trip now - and have a wonderful DAY AT THE ZOO!
PS. Would you please bring me back a red balloon when you go?
Author is a retired Christian woman. She owns All I Can Imagine (a certified Family Friendly Website) that sells eco friendly children's learning and fun toys including giant cardboard building blocks, 3d wood puzzles, adventure and wood play sets, wood coat hooks and wood bookends. Website includes many parent and teacher resources and activities for kids as well as animal facts that go along with the animal puzzles. See our complete line at: http://www.blocksand3dpuzzles.com
This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_202505_40.html
Keywords: animal care, animal facts, animal questions, balls, day at the zoo, experience design, going to the zoo, good starting point, mental stimulation, mirror
, occupation, parents and teachers, physical exercise, rubber ball, toddlers, typical behaviors, zoo animal, zoo animals, zookeepers, zoos.
