It is easy to understand why children may be interested in birds, especially those they observe within their local neighbourhood. Early childhood educators can use their interest to promote creativity and inquiry.
Birds are animals that have feathers with captivating colours and textures, and their sounds are enchanting. And of course, they can fly in the sky above the world!
Some birds feature prominently in children's songs and stories, like ducks and chickens. Birds also make great pets which children may have at home or at their childcare centre.
Here are a few types of birds to inspire you:
Albatross, brolga, bowerbird, cassowary, chicken, cockatoo, crow, corella, currawong, duck, eagle, emu, flamingo, hummingbird, ibis, kiwi, kookaburra, lorikeet, lyrebird, magpie, ostrich, owl, parrot, pelican, penguin, pigeon, puffin, robin, seagull, sparrow, swan, toucan, turkey, vulture, and woodpecker.
EYLF Learning outcomes
Birds link with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) learning outcomes. An interest in birds can teach children to respect nature (2.4). They spark curiosity and imagination (4.1), and promote involvement in inquiry, research and investigation (4.2).
Learning experiences
Create a bird through mixed media art
Birds are so vibrant. Offer children colourful oil pastels and watercolour paints to create their own bird artworks. They can add on torn pieces of paper to represent the textures of feathers, or even use real feathers for collage.
Sing like a bird
Provide children with an audio recorder. This can be used to record bird noises in the playground, which will require patience and quietness. If you see birds, identify them with a tool like Findabird by BirdLife Australia.
Alternatively, invite your children to record themselves mimicking birds. Who can make the most unique song?
The best part of this learning experience is listening back to the recorded bird calls!
Play with feathers
Collect feathers that drop on the ground. Examine them, sort them and guess which bird they come from.
Build a nest
Encourage children to build nests. These could be like real bird nests, from twigs and grass. Or, they could be large cubby houses of intertwined boxes and blankets that give friends a place to hide.
Cook eggs
Children can learn about eggs by following an egg-themed recipe on Taste. If possible, let each child have a turn at cracking an egg!
Fly high
An interest in birds is a great starting point for learning about the flight of planes and spacecraft.
Resources
Books
- Little Bird's Day by Sally Morgan
- Backyard Birds by Helen Milroy
- Hooray for Birds! by Lucy Cousins
- Birds of a Feather by Sita Singh
- Bird's Eye View by Frann Preston-Gannon
- Two Many Birds by Cindy Derby