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Glendonald preschoolers talk to the animals

By Latrobe Shire Council - 11th November 2004 - Back to News

The children from Glendonald Park Preschool had fun recently at their Mini Show Day which incorporated a visit from a mobile animal farm. Visiting children from the Woolum Bellum Dala Lidj Preschool in Morwell were also invited to join in the fun. The children also got to enjoy popcorn, showbags and lucky dips, as well as taking part in a gumboot toss and going into the ‘spook house’.

Glendonald Park Preschool Director Libby Robertson, said that all the children enjoyed mingling with the animals.

"The animal farm was a big hit with the children, staff and parents. The children had the opportunity to get very hands-on with the animals, by feeding them and touching them. The enclosure erected to house the animals on the day is large enough to allow the children to happily mingle with the animals, and the children are given a cup of animal feed to let the animals eat whilst they are being stroked," Mrs Robertson explained.

"There were pigs, goats, sheep, a cow, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens and ducks. All the animals are so used to humans that they are not frightened, even by the sometimes excitable children!

"As well as being great fun for the kids, it is an invaluable learning experience. The children are taught how to pick up and handle small animals such as rabbits, how to hand feed the larger animals as well as learning about animal safety and respecting other creatures," Mrs Robertson said.

Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Darrell White, added that whilst a visit from ‘Animals on the Move’ was certainly an enjoyable experience for the preschoolers on the day, the children would also benefit long term.

"Preschool teachers can incorporate what was learned about the animals, the noises they made, the names of their young and their habitat into the preschool sessions.

"In fact, similar benefits flow from all the excursions that are planned during a preschool year. The trips are designed to be both educational and fun. Going to see the hospital or the airport, or hosting a visiting play about road safety, becomes a way in which to extend the children’s knowledge and input into social play and interaction," Cr White explained.

Mrs Robertson said that this year at Glendonald Park had been successful in terms of getting projects completed. "The parent committee has worked hard through fundraising and has achieved a lot considering our preschool is a part time centre, offering sessions on two days a week," Mrs Robertson said.

"Our preschool has received some very generous donations of materials and labour from Yallourn Energy to enable us to complete the construction of shade sails over the outdoor activity area. The Glendonald Residents Group has provided paint for our cubby, and the Churchill Lions Club donated inside mats for the children to play on and some wheelbarrows and pushers. Our committee has found the local community to be very supportive and has appreciated the donations received from local corporations and the assistance from the Girl Guides in helping to fill showbags for the ‘Mini Show Day’," Mrs Robertson said.

Mrs Robertson added that the children at Glendonald Park were into the last term leading up to Christmas, and then would be ready to enter the primary school phase of their education. "Entering this phase has been made so much happier for the children because of the wonderful transition programs that we share with the schools in our area.

"This year has been important as we are able to help parents with observing a child’s readiness for school. We have some children with special needs that are integrated into our daily routine of preschool. This is beneficial not only to the child and his or her parents, but to all the children and parents at the preschool. We can learn about the child’s condition together and ensure that the children understand about cooperation, acceptance and tolerance from an early age.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com