Launchpad - Introducing the topic (10–20 mins)
Step 1With the help of the child, gather toy animals (or pictures of animals) and place them around a comfortable play area.
Step 2Show the child 1 toy animal (or picture) at a time, making the corresponding animal sound. For example, show a toy cow and say, ‘The cow goes moo!’.
Step 3Encourage the child to repeat the sound and identify the animal.
Explain briefly what product the animal provides. For example, ‘This is a cow. Cows give us milk.’
Discover - Exploring the topic (20–30 mins)
Step 1Animal sounds
Take turns making different animal sounds with the child and guessing which animal it is. Use toy animals or pictures as visual aids. Encourage the child to make the sounds as well.Step 2Food association
Show the child a picture or toy of an animal, then show a picture or example of the food that animal produces. For example, show a toy chicken and then an egg. Explain the connection: ‘This is a chicken. Chickens lay eggs.’Step 3Matching game
Lay out all the toy animals or pictures and the corresponding food products. Ask the child to match each animal with the correct food product. Help them if needed and praise their efforts.Step 4After the matching game, review the animals and their associated food products. Ask simple questions to reinforce the learning:
- What sound does a cow make?
- What food do we get from chickens?
Step 5Encourage the child to recall the animal sounds and food associations throughout the day.
Showcase
Make
Record a video documenting the activity, including interviews with those involved sharing their insights and reflections. This may include filming each step of the flower-pressing process or the child explaining the parts of the flower that they have labelled on their flower-press diagram.
Compile photos, drawings and notes from the activity into a scrapbook, highlighting what has been learned and enjoyed.
Use materials from the activity to build a model or prototype of something related to the topic, fostering hands-on learning and creativity.
Create a game related to the activity, such as a trivia game or charades, to reinforce learning in a fun way.
Play
Set up simple hands-on experiments or demonstrations that promote repeated practice, discussion and ongoing investigation.
Encourage imaginative play using clothes, toys or props related to the concept and let them role-play scenarios that reinforce their understanding.
Create a sensory box filled with materials related to the topic and let them explore, touch, feel and manipulate the items freely.
Sing songs (known or made up) and encourage dancing or movement in ways that explore or mimic the concepts being explored.
Write
If the activity involved a visit to a museum or community centre, write thank-you notes to any instructors or organisers, reflecting on what has been learned.
Collaborate on writing a fictional story or play inspired by the themes or concepts explored during the activity.
Reflect on what has been learned during the activity and write letters to be opened at a later date, sharing thoughts, goals and aspirations.
If the activity involved outdoor exploration, begin a nature journal to document future outdoor adventures and observations.
Plan
Brainstorm ideas for a follow-up activity or experiment inspired by what has been learned during the initial activity.
Take time to reflect on how the activity could inspire new goals, discussing ways to incorporate similar experiences into your routine in the future.
If possible, visit a local farm or petting zoo with the child. Let them see the animals in person and observe how they live. This real-world experience helps solidify their understanding of animals and the products they provide.
If you enjoyed the activity, why not share it with other families within your community? Plan a workshop or invite a friend over to re-create the experience and share your new knowledge.