Teachers Notes - Early Childhood
One of the most positive aspects of the program would have to be the children’s experience of caring for and nurturing another living creature.
When the incubator and eggs are delivered, a bonding process between the children and their potential chicks will commence. A sense of ‘our eggs’ will emerge from each group of children as well as their parents! The excitement will build with the pipping of the first egg, and will remain until the chicks are hatched.
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Allow the children to help with the feeding and watering of the chicks to extend their sense of responsibility towards them. Feed and water the chicks twice a day and clean out their Brooder Box as regularly as necessary.
Perhaps later in the second week you could try a variety of feed for the chicks. Try some greens, fruit, toast, or even some tiny worms.
Holding the chicks can be both exciting and calming. Be with the children to experience this special time. Details on holding chicks are in the Ready Hatch Manual along with some explanatory photos.
Remember to have a box of tissues handy for any ‘deposits’ and remind the children to wash their hands after they have finished.
Reinforce to the children that chicks are living creatures and they have feelings just like we do.
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A ‘Helpline’ phone number is displayed on the incubator and brooder and we recommend that you use this should you have any queries. We are as keen as you to ensure the success of the program and the welfare of the chicks.
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We hope you enjoy the program and adapt some of our activity ideas. Should you come across any additional resources you may like to share with other teachers, please let us know, as we are constantly looking for extra resources to make the program a more valuable
We have included some ‘E’ Stories that can be used with the class on the whiteboards. Also some ‘Eggsperiments’, some serious, some fun. An ‘Assembly’ Power Point template is included where you can add your class stories and pictures.