.png)
Wed, 27 Nov 2024
JIMBARAN – Widiatmika Kindergarten once again held one of its flagship programs, Animal School, at the Widiatmika Hall on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. This program aligns with the Independent Curriculum, which emphasizes developing critical and creative thinking alongside literacy, numeracy, and fostering care for living creatures.
Adriani Ani Ano, a teacher at Widiatmika Kindergarten’s A2 class, explained that the main goal of Animal School is to introduce children directly to various animals. This hands-on approach helps children not only learn about the unique traits of each animal but also understand the importance of treating living beings with respect and kindness.
“The concept of Animal School involves introducing animals directly to children. Through this interaction, they learn in a more concrete and meaningful way. Additionally, they gain an understanding that animals are part of life and deserve to be treated with care,” Adriani explained.
This program is conducted monthly, featuring animals selected based on their safety for children. The animals showcased include pets such as dogs, cats, turtles, fish, birds, rabbits, hermit crabs, and hamsters. This session featured hamsters as the primary animal.
During the session, children observed the physical traits of hamsters, such as their eyes, noses, and fur, while also learning about the habits of the animals, such as how they eat and move. These observations provided a deeper understanding of the living creatures around them.
To enhance literacy and numeracy skills, children were asked to describe the characteristics of the animals they observed, building their confidence in storytelling. They also practiced counting the number of animals present, identifying letters in the animal’s name, and connecting these lessons to their everyday experiences.
The session concluded with a creative activity, where children crafted artworks based on the animals using drawing or loose parts. This approach encouraged open-ended creativity while reinforcing their understanding of the material.
Adriani emphasized that Animal School is closely aligned with the principles of the Independent Curriculum. The program not only teaches children critical thinking and detailed observation but also instills values of empathy and care for living beings.
“With this program, children learn to be patient, respect living creatures, and collaborate with their peers. As a result, they gain both academic knowledge and positive character traits from an early age,” Adriani concluded.
___
