When I first started teaching I was amazed at how my class of 9 year old children couldn't even identify the most common of garden birds. Some thought that the smaller birds were babies and the larger ones were the mums and dads.
The Big Schools' Birdwatch provides an opportunity to help children appreciate the birds that they probably see every day but don't even notice. There is also special activity in which nursery children can get involved - Little Schools' Birdwatch
Click on the links to find out more, even if you don't take part in the Birdwatch you will find lots of ideas, activities and resources to use with children.
Although the Birdwatch started on 18 January it isn't too late to join in!
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4 comments:
I guess it's all about seeing things everyday, and taking them for granted.... and its good to teach such things to children.... Adults too sometimes fall into the same trap.... seeing but not looking! ~bangchik
Yes there are many adults with the little brown bird syndrome.
I knew an adult once who thought that a pied wagtail was a baby magpie.
They are missing so much if they don't spend a little time just looking and appreciating how many different birds we have.
I think this program is a fantastic idea. Besides a great bird identification guide, like Peterson's Field Guides, a great tool I've discovered to help my kids learn bird calls is the Identiflyer. It's a handheld device that's incredibly easy to use and fun. I've been amazed at what my 3, 5 and 6 year old can recognize by sight or song. Thanks for posting about the Big School Bird event.
Children are fascinated in wildlife if they are given half a chance.
I'm trying to learn bird calls and have the Bird Guides CDs
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