Learning through animal encounters

By Zoe McMaugh

Oct 20, 2023

(From left) Jackson Barling, Alena Larmour, Harlem Simpson, Chloe Fishlock and Kristabella Tamati with Hannah Wicke from Hannah's Homestead Mobile Farm.

Making learning fun was the goal of a special visit to Deniliquin’s Early Learning Centre on Wednesday.

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The goal was to learn more about animals and their behaviours, and Hannah’s Homestead Mobile Farm from Rochester was only too happy to help.

She arrived at the centre with a van full of goats, lambs, rabbits, chickens, ducks and more for a fun morning of animal encounters.

“With children this age, the aim is to teach them how to respect animals and recognition of what they are and the noises they make,” petting zoo owner Hannah Wicke said.

“Once you get to the older groups - say Year 6 and older - the lessons become more about the paddock to plate process and where our food comes from.”

Alena Larmour from Deni Early Learning Centre said all the children enjoyed the petting zoo, which is just one example of the fun activities provided for children at the centre.