In November 2019, Cartagena Paws went to the neighborhood of Nelson Mandela in Cartagena. Elementary children from the neighborhood have Saturday classes were they learn social skills and play strategies. On that day, they learned about how to interact with animals and animals' emotions. With a variety of age ranges, starting from 3 year-olds to 12 year-olds, we divided the kids into groups to do age appropriate activities.
Our littlest ones started with a Clifford read aloud and got to learn about why animals do the things they do. The middle group discussed with a sorting chart what things are good and bad for animals and why (e.g. clean water, having play time). The oldest kids thought about a problem in their neighborhood surrounding animals and ways in which they can help solve that problem. Finally, the two younger groups participated in interactive play activities with stuffed animals and large dice to act out animals emotions and determine in what situations they might act that way.
The highlight was being berated with asking when are we coming back to do it again!
Our littlest ones started with a Clifford read aloud and got to learn about why animals do the things they do. The middle group discussed with a sorting chart what things are good and bad for animals and why (e.g. clean water, having play time). The oldest kids thought about a problem in their neighborhood surrounding animals and ways in which they can help solve that problem. Finally, the two younger groups participated in interactive play activities with stuffed animals and large dice to act out animals emotions and determine in what situations they might act that way.
The highlight was being berated with asking when are we coming back to do it again!
Photo credit to Andrew Shainker. Follow him on Instagram at @andrewshainker
Thank you to our volunteers: Carolyn, Barbara, and Elis.