Owing to the findings that each individual learns in a different manner, providing the educational experience in different formats allows for more children to acquire knowledge. For example, some children learn better with visual presentations, while others are more sensitive to auditory stimulation. The changes in the context and the involvement that each child has in the learning environment is also important. Incorporating educational shows from external people provides variety in the educational routine, and most of all, it is also fun!
We have have three additional educational shows per year that are scheduled for the children. These are private companies that visit the school ranging from mobile zoos, puppet shows, transport shows, paramedics/fire department show, science shows, and so forth.
Learning can take place in various forms. Well known developmental psychologist Lev Vygotsky (1978) said that the central focus on learning should be social, cultural, and historical, which form a complex system that one is part of. For Vygotsky, understanding learning, one must also look to the social processes from which a person’s thinking is derived, while acknowledging the cognitive growth as a collaborative process as we learn through social interactions. The shows provide a socially based learning system lead by experienced people in their field of expertise. To follow are some snippets from some shows – 2014 onwards.
WILD ONES Educational Animal Shows (2022-):
The preschool children (and staff) get to see real life creepy crawlers as well as exotic reptiles and farm animals. Julian provides an educational experience that is memorable and thrilling!
Puppetales (2016; 2018-): This is a comedic and educational puppet show presented by Machteld van Nieuwkerk. This show is a lot of fun and the children love to see the puppets and listen to the story. The children (and teachers/parents) laugh a lot in this show!
The Wild and Earthly Show (2015-): Farm animal theme.
Lisa Sachs from Wild and Earthly has a passion for working with animals and children. She provides an informative presentation with each child having a chance to sit with, hold and feed the animals that she brings. The children really enjoy this show, although there some children who initially are scared of animals. This provides them with an opportunity to see other children with animals, which assists in reducing their own fears. The animals are safe for children and Lisa’s special care allows each child to be comfortable and relaxed. Albert Bandura (1973; 1977; 1994) who was a social cognitive psychologist described how people learn based on their interpretation of modelled behaviours. In this case, when the children see how other children do not have fears about farm animals, they may realise that they too need not fear the animals, especially when the behaviour is modelled by their peers.
The What Walrus Educational Show (2015):
This was a theatrical show that relies on a dramatisation of the educational themes. This show focused on healthy habits and our senses.
The Wild and Earthly Show (2014-): Reptiles and insects
Learning about different reptiles and insects.
Werner’s Educational Puppet show (2014):
Here the children are learning about hygiene, their body, their senses and other important child friendly information. It is important to provide children with various types of presentations. While our teachers do present the themes of hygiene etc., seeing the puppet provides a new context for these messages. The children remember the lesson and the picture based presentation. Our teachers then build on these themes again during the week.
The transport Show and Practical (2014):
This company brought battery operated quad bikes and laid down a track (road). They set up road signs
Teeth Cleaning Show (2016):
ER24 Paramedics Show (2016)
ER24 provided a presentation on safety and what to do in emergencies. The children enjoyed the presentation and the ambulance walk through..
Animotion Puppet Show (2017):
Please note that the images on this site intentionally do not show the faces of the children. To maintain the privacy of the children the images are of low resolution with children specifically asked to look away from the camera.
References:
Bandura, A. (1973). Aggression: A social learning analysis. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall
Bandura, A. (1994). Self-efficacy. In V. S. Ramachaudran (Ed.), Encyclopedia of human behavior (Vol. 4, 71-81).
Vygotsky, L.S. (1978). Mind in Society. The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, Harvard University Press.
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