Program “we are growing at the zoo”
"Education is beneficial when it advances the development. Then it arouses and calls forth a number of functions, which are at the stage of maturation in the area of the immediate development. This is the main function of education in the development".
Vygotskiy L.S.
explanatory note:
On the basis of our museum we developed the program for early development of children to help their parents. It takes into account the physiological, psychological and emotional peculiar features of children. This program makes a child acquainted not only with the animal world of their region but also the fauna of tropical countries. The classes are held in groups of 3-5 children and their parents.
Our program consists of blocks, four lessons each; during these lessons children and their parents get acquainted with three groups of similar animals through the introduction of different development and mobile games as well as with folk amusing songs, poems, etc. devoted to these animals. The immediate communication with animals contributes to the development of devotion to animals.
During the classes, besides the demonstration of animals, we use illustrated and collection handbooks, different development toys, books for children, natural materials for children to depict the animals and make their models.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BLOCKS OF LESSONS:
- The introduction of each animal begins with viewing it in the pictures and finding mistakes in the drawings. Then the animal is presented alive. A teacher together with the children describes it asking children to answer the questions and attracting attention to its appearance and seperate parts, characteristic features (for example, needles of a hedgehog, tortoiseshell, the absence of legs for a snake, etc.). Then it is necessary to study the peculiar features of animals’ behaviour asking the questions such as: Why does a hedghog roll? Who does it hide from? Does a turtle feel comfortable sitting on a tree? How does it protect itself from danger? And others.
- To associate the organization of body with the way of life and wildlife habitual area (for example, terricole turtle and terrapin).
- The teacher permits, those who wishes it, to touch the animal, under no circumstances making those children who are afraid to touch the animal do it.
- After that the children are offered to behave like this animal: to move like it, to smell, to move the tongue, etc.
- At the end of the lesson they can draw, mold or play the development games:
- An apple – to a bear, a carrot – to a hare
- Whose tail is shorter, whose ears are longer
- Mothers and cubs
- Help an animal to find its house
- My guests – three bears
- We live in the woods and in a field
- I know you
- What lives where?
- Put me together
- Guess, what I am?
- What is behind the fence?
- Tower-chamber
- Bears and mice
- Twin pictures
- What lives in the woods?
- What did a rabbit take?
- Which of the animals hid in the woods?
- Games with the toys, magnetboard, etc.
New development games are introduced by one at each lesson. At each lesson they use no more than 3-5 development games.
Description of Development Games