Preschool teachers' meeting in Latvia

From February 13 to 15, in the mood of the friendship week, a training event took place in preschool groups of Jumprava primary school. This time the theme of the training event was animals. At first the guests were invited to a welcoming concert. 

After the concert we took a kindergarten tour and introduced the guests with the main activities that we do in the kindergarten in connection with the forest and fairy tales. Afterwards the visitors went to nature trails of Līgatne and got to know about animals that can be found in the trails, listened to their sounds, learned about their habits.

On the second day, the teachers of "Owlet" and "Hedgehog" groups shared their experience of how to connect reading fairy tales with exploring the forest. The guests were also involved in the activity. At the end of the activity the children learned how the names of animals sound in the languages ​​of neighboring countries and were able to compare the words.

  

Afterwards we went to Kangaru bog, under the guidance of our guide Kristaps, we followed the animal trails and learned a lot more about the plants and animals in the bog.

On the final day, we visited the "Castle of Light" (National Library of Latvia) - the largest book storage in Latvia, and learned about the diversity of animals and birds, their habits and many other interesting facts at the Latvian National Museum of Nature.

In three days, we have not only shared our experience, but also gained new knowledge ourselves.

 Animals in our forests

3-4 year old children discovered the variety of animals living in our forests. They tried to learn their looks, remember their names. 

After that they got to know some interesting facts about the strongest animal in our forest - the brown bear. Then they tried to put themselves in the bear's shoes and  tell about themselves - what they eat, what they look like, what colour has their coat.  

After that each child prepared a toy bear forthemselves.

 Taking care of friends in the forest

Winter is the right time when to think about our friends in the forest. 6-7 year old children went for a walk and brought some snacks to their friends - forest animals.

 Following animal trace

4-5 years old children from the "Owlet" group clarified that each animal has different footprints. In group they compared different animal footprints. Afterwards they went to the forest and played "animal footprint detectives". They took with them cards with animals and their footrints and tried to find any in the forest. They were lucky to find the ones left by hare.