Think back to your childhood.
Did you enjoy rolling over a decomposing log to look for ants or salamanders? Perhaps you watched with curiosity as a bird built a nest in the trees around your house? Or maybe, you rolled up your pant legs, squished your toes in the mud and tried to catch a frog?
In an effort to help shape your child’s early education, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium stands out as an exceptional choice for families seeking enriching experiences for their young ones. With its unparalleled blend of education, animals, and conservation ethos, the ZooKids program offers a school year long journey for children, igniting their sense of wonder and deepening their connection to the natural world.
ZooKids has been around for 30 years at the Columbus Zoo, but we’ve made some exciting changes!
- The restructured program now offers opportunities to learn and attend based on age. We will have a class for three-year olds and a separate class for four/five-year olds with enrollment based on their birthday.
- We’ve also listened to parents who want their child to be here more during ZooKids! Three-year olds will attend two mornings a week and four/five-year olds will attend three mornings a week.
Immersive Learning Environment
At ZooKids, we provide an engaging educational setting. Our indoor classroom is situated within the Suzie Edwards Conservation Classroom building, established in 2021. Conveniently positioned just outside the Zoo entrance, it facilitates easy drop-off and pick-up for parents. Throughout each season, our ZooKids curriculum emphasizes outdoor experiences. Our Zoo grounds serve as a vibrant classroom rich in biodiversity. With towering giraffes and majestic lions, every corner invites new discoveries. Through immersion in the sights, sounds, and textures of the animal kingdom, preschoolers forge a deep bond with nature, fostering a lifelong passion for learning.
Preschoolers are also naturally curious and full of questions!
Staff members will take questions and turn them into learning situations.
- Much like the Magic School Bus, our classroom can turn into a pond, coral reef, or even pollinator garden.
- We will introduce scientific language (like metamorphosis, camouflage, and endangered), while encouraging your child to record and share their findings.
- Every week will have large group activities, carpet time, art, stories, music, and plenty of time outside.
One of the most powerful lessons children learn at the Columbus Zoo is the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship. Through interactive exhibits, storytelling, and conservation-themed activities, preschoolers discover their role as caretakers of the planet. By witnessing conservation efforts firsthand, children develop empathy and a sense of responsibility toward protecting our planet’s biodiversity, and each other.
Rachel Carson, celebrated environmental ecologist and early childhood education advocate wrote, “A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement”. Play and learning go hand-in-hand at ZooKids. We might prowl and crouch like tigers or construct animal habitats with natural materials. By integrating play into the learning process, the Zoo fosters creativity, collaboration, and problem solving skills in young learners.
Staff training and safety within the ZooKids program is paramount for ensuring the well-being and development of young children in our care.
- Our staff receive training on child development, behavior management techniques, emergency procedures, and health/hygiene protocols.
- Safety measures encompass various aspects, including physical safety, as well as emotional safety which involves fostering supportive relationships and addressing the individual needs of each child.
- Prioritizing safety ensures an environment where children can thrive, explore, and learn with confidence.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's ZooKids program offers an unparalleled opportunity for children to connect with the natural world and ignite their sense of wonder. With its restructured program tailored to different age groups, immersive learning environments, and focus on conservation education, ZooKids stands as a beacon for families seeking enriching experiences for their young ones. By fostering curiosity, empathy, and a sense of responsibility toward the environment, ZooKids not only educates but also inspires the next generation of conservationists and stewards of our planet.
Check the Zoo’s website in late March to see registration dates and application for the new school year ZooKids preschool program. We look forward to meeting your family and hope to ignite your child’s passion for discovery and cultivate a deep connection to nature!
