Pre-KG 2023 / 24 Blog 25 KOBE ANIMAL KINGDOM and BOOK DAY

Pre-KG 2023 / 24 Blog 25

KOBE ANIMAL KINGDOM and BOOK DAY

Even in the age of advanced technology do books play a significant role in our life, especially for children. 

Reading books has so many benefits: it improves concentration, memory, empathy, intellect and communication skills, it enhances imagination and creativity, it increases knowledge and vocabulary and last not least, it reduces stress and helps relax. 

Reading a good book in a comfy spot on a rainy day or chilling with something to read on the beach after a swim is my kind of heaven. 

And how wonderful it is being read to, snuggled up next to a parent, sibling or caregiver, listening to the soothing voice telling stories of comfort or adventure. 

Books have a special place in my heart and in the Pre–Kindergarten classroom. We have a big variety of books in different languages, we read them aloud and we also encourage the children to look at them independently. 

So we really embraced Book Day at school by reading even more than usual and the children made original bookmarks showing each child‘s favorite animal which I had printed out for them. The bookmarks turned out really well, so we showcased them on the entrance board. 

The school‘s hallway was decorated beautifully by the Book Day team and also featured panels introducing each teacher‘s favorite book. 

On Thursday then we invited two parents into our classroom as guest readers! The children loved both stories about Elmer, the elephant !

Thank you so much to Ms.Gregory ( Elias’ mother) and Mr.Sallstig ( Nicholas’ father ) for reading to us in English and German respectively and for Ms. Makiko for being the Book Day representative.

Many of our books in class are connected to animals and especially the ones by Eric Carle are very popular.

We have read “ Brown Bear, Brown Bear “ , “ From Head to Toe “, “ My First Book of Food” and most recently “ ABC” which introduces a lot interesting animals . Do you know an animal starting with the letter “Q” ? Quetzal ! With “X”? Xolo ! 

Some of the Eric Carle books have readings online, so your child can listen to different voices.

Eric Carle’s ABC

As the children were getting ready for their trip to Kobe Animal Kingdom, our boxes with plentiful animals made for good vocabulary building ( in English and German) and for matching animals to the actual map of the zoo.

Die Pre– Kindergarten Kinder haben schon sehr viel über verschiedene Tiere gelernt und sie freuten sich sehr auf ihren Ausflug und darauf bald echte Capybaras, Papageien, Pinguine und viele andere Tiere zu sehen.

Throughout the week we also sang to the charming song “ At the Zoo” which shows many animals and even snakes riding on the roof of a red bus ! 

At The Zoo

Then finally, on Friday, the excursion day had arrived !  We joyfully boarded our red school bus and Mr. Fujita, our veteran bus driver, brought us swiftly and safely to the Kobe Animal Kingdom.

There we met with more of the Pre– Kindergarten families and everyone entered the facility full of excitement. We looked at some of the big animals like a tiger and then lined up for the flower filled photo spot which was very popular. 

After a quick snack, we looked at the pygmy hippo and then entered the jungle area. 

The children were fascinated by the ant eaters, the many birds and especially the capybaras, who love to relax in warm water and hot springs. I feel you, capybaras!

Down the path, we spotted a giant white snake , so luckily it was not on the school bus (refer to the song) and then proceeded to the touch zone to pet some rabbits, cats and dogs.

For future visits, please note that you now have to make advance reservations, which makes sense as it limits the number of people that can touch the small animals and therefore protects them from stimulation overload. 

We admired the big bill bird which finds a sanctuary here at Kobe Animal Kingdom and the flight of the colourful parrots which soared high above in the blue skies.

After so much viewing and learning, everyone was ready for lunch which consisted of delicious home made bentos. The restaurant area at Kobe Animal Kingdom also provides some yummy options and there were smiles all around !

Fully recharged, we went to another outside area that showed us seals and penguins. There too you can make reservations for feeding the animals.

The last visit for the day was at the free range kangaroo area (partially under reconstruction and extension) where even the parents were astonished by the rare experience of being able to touch a kangaroo and finding out that they were actually quite soft.

Happy and full of new impressions we boarded the bus back to school while some families stayed on for some additional exploration.

Another fantastic week of learning and many opportunities to share new discoveries with family members and connecting all our subject units ! 

Have a wonderful weekend ! 

With kind regards, 

Mit herzlichen Grüßen, 

Anita Ursula Mönch

Pre–Kindergarten homeroom teacher

Playgroup / EY German 

German Saturday School homeroom teacher