SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Kelly Vincentini of Syracuse began home schooling her three children, Juliana, Anyela and Patrick this year. All children are under the age of eight, and sometimes staying inside the house for too long can get chaotic.
Since before the pandemic, Vincentini would take her children to the programs at the zoo. Now, she has enrolled all three of her children in a newer program, “Edventure Days”. This is a program that meets every Tuesday for the next five weeks.
A few times a week, Vincentini takes her children to different learning events to interact with kids their age, learn hands on and get out of the house. One of her favorite programs are the ones offered at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
Edventure Days specifically teaches preschool aged children and simplifies it so they can easily understand the topic.
“There is just so much in the hour and a half, it’s a really rich experience,” said Vincentini.
In just 90 minutes at the zoo, the students learn how to read, fine motor skills, art and problem solving . The students and parents also get to walk around the zoo to see the different animals the children are learning about.
Participating in events at the zoo such at Edventure Days, give young children a learning experience they cannot get in the classroom or at home.
Education coordinator said, “I do believe they get more out of it. They can see, touch and feel [the animals].”
Instead of sitting for hours in a classroom and learning through pictures of animals, the zoo gives children the opportunity to see in person what they are learning about. Especially at this young age, it is difficult to keep the children engaged for hours without any movement or activity.
“We have over 700 animals and we get to go and see it all,” said Trowbridge. “It’s not a classroom. the students are actually out and about and moving around and that’s something we really like.”
