Zoo

This month we are focusing on animals in the children’s classrooms and our theme for this week is zoo animals. We are spending the week graphing our favorite animals and talking about our favorite zoo animals. Why not extended this fun theme into a field trip to the zoo as a family, especially now that the weather is warmer. Besides having a terrific time, your kids will learn about animals and their habitats.

Before you head to the zoo

Talk to your children about their expectations. What do they think they’ll see there? What animals are they most excited about? This will help you figure out what they want to see at the zoo.

If the Website has a map of the zoo, pay close attention to it. Plan your day before the day starts. Are there any special exhibits or play areas for children? What about a petting zoo? Kids love to get up close with animals, so try to plan your day accordingly.

At the Zoo

When you are at the zoo have your children pretend you are on a safari. Have them find all the different types of species like monkeys, birds, reptiles, and penguins. They can also see the giraffes, lions, tigers, and polar bears! Kids will gain so much more when you make a game out of your trip. Here are some other ideas to make your trip even more fun:

* Make a simple scavenger hunt.
* Use the free zoo map to demonstrate geography.
* Bring sketch pads to draw your favorite animals. Younger ones can identify colors instead.
* Focus on one type of animal. Can we find every bird in the whole zoo? How are their bodies different?

A trip to the zoo can be a lot of fun and a great learning experience for your entire family. By planning some of it ahead of time, everyone can gain so much from the trip. There are many zoos in the area such as the Reston Zoo.