SMART START Chicks and Chickens

      We welcomed some new additions to our growing SMART START family this summer!  SMART START would like to introduce Chick and Chicky, our baby chicks.  Chick and Chicky visited us here at school and remained with us through the end of August.  They then moved on to the chicken farm.  The children absolutely loved Chick and Chicky and acted as wonderful care givers. They enjoyed holding, playing, feeding and simply observing them.  Chick and Chicky brought lots of smiles, conversations and giggles to our students and we are so happy to have provided them with this hands on learning experience right in the comfort of our own space.

     SMART START has also welcomed two friendly chickens, Charlotte and Caroline.  Charlotte and Caroline live here at school in a chicken coop.  The chickens are acclimating well to their new environment and thoroughly enjoy running free in our spacious backyard/outdoor classroom. Charlotte and Caroline are well behaved and allow the children to pet, feed, hold them and collect their eggs each day. We have been teaching SMART START friends about caring for the chicks and chickens and how they play a vital role in their care. We have taught our students about the egg laying process through stories and pictures and how to properly remove the eggs. This job is highly sought after! Our SMART START chefs have enjoyed making scrambled eggs, pancakes and more with our fresh eggs. Thank you Charlotte and Caroline, for providing us with  healthy snacks and meals.

          Our young learners partake in fulfilling their responsibilities to care for Chick, Chicky, Charlotte and Caroline on a daily basis and look forward to receiving their job assignments. Whether it be feeding, providing fresh water, cleaning the chicken coop, or collecting eggs SMART START friends feel a great sense of accomplishment knowing that they are helping.  Caring for an animal is so much more than we think! It teaches young children many helpful and important tools that translate into different life situations. Here at SMART START we are constantly striving to provide your children with an all-inclusive curriculum and hope that you can see the benefits.    

 Here are some things children learn while having fun caring for animals:

• Responsibility
• Trust
• Compassion
• Respect
• Self-esteem
• Loyalty
• Physical activity
• Patience
• Social skills

   

     SMART START friends have been learning about the life cycle of a chicken through hands on fun with the chicks and chickens as well as books, music, puzzles and games.  Having the chicks and chickens on site has truly enhanced our farm curriculum. As always, the children are eager to learn new things, listen intently and ask important questions.  Their curious minds love being stimulated and we absolutely love witnessing their joy of learning!  It is such a privilege to teach young learners who are so impressionable and enthusiastic about all we do here at SMART START.

💙 Mary and Francesca 💙