Zoo opens little doors for pre-school education

AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL
MEDIA RELEASE

26 March 2007

Zoo opens little doors for pre-school education

Pre-school children are in for a unique educational experience when Ontan the orang-utan and his furry friends take them on a journey of discovery and learning at Auckland Zoo.

The zoo’s early childhood education (ECE) launches in mid-April and will educate pre-school children about animals and conservation in a fun and safe environment. The innovative education experience has been designed for two to five year olds and is facilitated by early childhood teachers, who will use puppets - such as Ontan the orang-utan - to connect with children. Ontan also has a few real-life friends for children to meet in the classroom, including Mexican walking fish, Reeves turtles, frogs, and rabbits.

Auckland Zoo has been running school-aged education since the early 1970s teaching approximately 26,000 students in face-to-face sessions each year. The ECE programme is a first for the zoo, and offers pre-school children the opportunity to take part in a structured educational session at a zoo.

Lesson plans are based on Te Whariki, the Ministry of Education’s early childhood curriculum, which promotes holistic learning principles. ECE at the zoo will use these principles to connect children with animals, nature and conservation through contribution, exploration and communication.

Each session takes place in a purpose-built classroom and teaches children about specific zoo animals using puppetry, dance and drama. Initial lessons will be based around orang-utans, with native birds and the animals of Africa planned for later in the year. Children will be encouraged to explore the classroom and connect with nature through the animals in the room. Following their lesson, kids will don tiger tails and have a walking “tiger-bus” tour of the zoo to see the species they have learned about.

“We’re really excited about this opportunity to offer experiences that connect under-fives with animals, nature and conservation. This education will help lay the foundations for future environmental education and provide an opportunity for children to learn that they too play a significant part in the world they live in,” says Stacey McManus, early childhood educator.

Early Childhood Education at Auckland Zoo starts Monday, 16 April. One-hour sessions are available Monday – Friday at 10am and 1pm. Maximum of 30 children per session. Session size is dependant on age of children. Cost: $6 per child and $18 per supervising adult (every fourth adult is free). For more information, or to book, phone Auckland Zoo (09) 360 3817.

ENDS

© Scoop Media