A field day with Sunway Wildlife for children of St. Nicholas Montessori Centres


Children feeding and touching rabbits at the Sunway Wildlife Interactive Zoo

25 June 2009

Children of the St Nicholas Montessori Centre (SNMC) in USJ 13 had a grand field day at the Sunway Wildlife Interactive Zoo, looking at and touching all kinds of interesting animals. The visit on 24 April was an extension of the children’s study of Zoology in the classroom. It was organised to fuel the children’s natural curiosity of the animal kingdom.
 
The children, their teachers and some parents arrived at the Sunway Lagoon Theme Park in the morning for a guided tour of the Sunway Wildlife Interactive Zoo. The ranger, Mr Rosli, brought them around the zoo while giving them an informative and interactive tour.

The excited children were allowed the thrill of feeding the birds, catching fish from a little pond, feeding and petting the rabbits

as well as taking pictures with an albino snake, monitor lizard and other animals. They were also treated to an animal show involving a parrot, raccoon and a Burmese albino snake.

In addition to the excursion, which is a fun, interactive and effective way of appreciating animals, the children also explored the Zoology theme in a host of activities from across the curriculum. Throughout the semester, music and movement, mathematics, literacy and science activities were organised based on this theme. Children also expressed their knowledge of animals in art as well.

Apart from this thematic method of teaching, the St Nicholas Montessori Centres also encourage children to move around the room to explore the materials prepared for them instead of staying at desks. Children can choose to work individually or gather in groups and take turns to build words using movable letters. They stack and roll geometric solids to appreciate the properties of the ellipsoid and the prism. They may unroll a felt timeline and tell stories of the evolution of life using models and pictures.

There is no limit to how long a child can work with a piece of material. Central to the method is the philosophy that the varying stimuli appropriate for each child’s interest and needs are catered for. At any one time in a day all subjects like sciences, history and so on will be studied.

St Nicholas Montessori Centre offers beyond just kindergarten or nursery services. Its curriculum ensures that children develop physically, intellectually, socially, emotionally and spiritually. It is a curriculum that is child centered and develops the ‘whole child’.

The Montessori approach aims to nurture a healthy and psychologically fulfilled child who has the confidence to approach challenges of life. Montessori children stand out for their independence and self discipline. They are responsible in action and thought, both within and outside the classroom. The Montessori approach cultivates positive study habits leading to an enthusiasm for learning.

To find out more about the St Nicholas Montessori programme and how you can  enroll your child for a Montessori experience, please visit or call SNMC centres at USJ13 (03-56369566), USJ19 (80241626), Bandar Utama (03-77252702), Klang (03-33727549), Malacca (06-2816102), Penang (04-6580133), or email to lydiafoong@segi.edu.my.