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Brevard County Zoo is in Melbourne, Florida, about a ninety minute drive from Orlando. Before going, we read that people enjoyed being up close to the animals, and this was so true! In this blog, I share some ideas to do before, during and after a visit to Brevard County Zoo, or any other zoo for that matter. I hope you will find at least one idea that can apply to your family. I'll also share some educational insights that are quick and to the point so multitasking moms like me can be a mom-boss (or dad-boss) while making sure your kid is the most well-rounded and smartest on the block!
Before
Here are some ideas to consider before going to the zoo. It can helpful to prepare your child for what to expect while there and you will help expand their knowledge for learning. In the education world, this is called building background knowledge. If your child learns some ideas about what they are going to see at the zoo, it will make the learning more concrete while there. For example, if your child has never seen a giraffe in person, look at pictures, watch a video of it walking or eating, and read some facts. Then, while at the zoo when you see a real giraffe, your child will store more knowledge in the brain bank, especially if you see one up close to feed it!
- My seven-year-old niece did an A-Z Animal Google Slides presentation in her second grade class. In it, she had to pick an animal that started with each letter of the alphabet and research certain facts about each one. She loved doing this project, so much so, that she really wanted to go to the zoo! You too can do this with your child using Google Slides (or Power Point) and not only will you learn together, but this will help connect the technology tool your child is learning in school to home. This project was so informative for my niece that she was reciting facts with me while at the zoo. Here’s a sample template I created to help you with this project.
- Read some books and watch some videos to help prepare your child for what she might see. There are so many to choose from. I read this one to my one year old and have been since we went because she loves "lift the flap" books - Zoo: Peek-a-Flap Book by Cottage Door Press.
- Take a look at the Brevard County Zoo site and see what they have to offer. Plus, you need to purchase tickets in advance and pick a entry time window.
- We also asked each child, “What animal do you hope to see?” If it was one that wouldn’t be at this zoo, we helped them think of one that would in order to make sure we saw at least one animal they were hoping to see.
During
- There is such power in just being in the moment and interacting with your child.
- While at the zoo, my seven-year-old niece was sharing some facts she learned from her school presentation. As she spoke, I would follow up with “Where did you learn that?” and “What else do you know?” You can also allow your child to take some pictures of the animals and add them to the presentation created before you went!
- When we saw the hogs, I asked, “Why do you think they are in the mud?” Each time I could think of why an animal might be in a certain area, I asked my nieces why they thought it might be. I’m definitely no animal expert, and those reading this most likely know much more than I do, so be sure to share that knowledge with your kids! If anything, ask questions to get them thinking and it might create some fun opportunities for research after the visit!
After
Complete fun activities together as a family. When you can extend what you have done during a visit like this, you keep the learning alive and growing. There are lots of ways to make connections to any place you visit with your children. Not only do these connections help further their learning, but it’s a great way for you to continue engaging in what you do together as a family.
- My niece’s second grade class has a class pet “caterpillar”! What great timing for our trip after the zoo and an activity you can do too with your kids at home. Eric Carle’s book, The Hungry Caterpillar comes to mind as a simple book to introduce your toddler to the caterpillar/butterfly life cycle. National Geographic has a plethora of non-fiction animals books.
- Be sure to add in those pictures and new facts your learned while at the zoo into the presentation you started before you went.
- The classic "See 'n Say" toys by Fisher Price are great for reinforcing animal sounds and pictures.
- Melissa and Doug has a puzzle that's helpful if your child is working on fine motor skills.
- My one year old loves this activity cube by B.Toys.
- Here's an idea for family game night. I bought a variation of Skillmatics Guess in 10 for my seven-year-old niece.
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