EYFS Activities: Let's explore... the zoo

Anyone who has ever visited a zoo will recall the feeling of awe and wonder at being so close to animals that they might otherwise only ever dream of seeing in the wild. Sadly, it is the case that many species of animal in captivity today are critically endangered and there is a very real possibility that some of these animals will no longer exist by the time our youngest children reach adulthood.

The plight of these creatures is far removed from story time on the carpet when children laugh at the picture book antics of a family of elephants or a dancing giraffe. But a trip to the zoo brings children face-to-face with these truly extraordinary creatures, allowing them to view them in the flesh, look them in the eye and watch how they move.

A trip to the zoo gives children the opportunity to find out how animals live in the wild and how they are cared for in captivity. They also learn about the dangers faced by various species and find out about conservation programmes. This education is imperative for children in the early years. After all, the survival of these species rests on generations to come.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT ZOO

When you are planning a trip to a zoo, you should choose one that has high ethical standards and is involved in wildlife conservation. Go online and research what breeding programmes the zoo is involved with, if it has connections to any other reputable zoos and whether it carries out unethical culling of healthy animals.

Look at the zoo’s website and find the contact details for its education department. Many offer tailored programmes for children. Give them a ring and find out what they have to offer to Foundation Stage children.

BEFORE THE VISIT

Of course, visiting the zoo is very exciting for young children and they will find it difficult to focus and listen if you try to read out any information about the animals as you walk around. Therefore it is a good idea to look up what animals the zoo has and find out more about them before the visit.

Ask the children which animals interest them the most, then use information books and the internet to find out: