On the occasion of Environment Week (June, 2014), children aged 3-7 years, and interested in Iran’s nature and wildlife, accompanied by their parents, got to know the birds of Tehran by means of educational activities in the form of paintings, crafts, makeup, games and storytelling. The Festival has been held by the Department of Environment of municipality of region 4 and Plan for the Land Society in the Bird’s Garden of Tehran, on the 10thof June.
Understanding the importance of concepts such as birds, trees as habitat for birds, different types of birds and different parts of birds (feathers, head, wings, feet, etc.) were educational parts of the Festival presented to children. They learned about birds’ feathers through the magnification by the loop.
After learning these concepts, children painted and made crafts with the topic of protection of birds, with their mothers, at art workshop.
One of the most interesting parts of this program was writing a short message to the birds. Through this part, the children were asked “what would you write, if you could promise the birds of our city something?” Sentences expressed by children as their messages were interesting, and their wishes or messages were recorded by educators. Thus strengthening the sense of friendship and closeness with birds.
Some of children’s beautiful words about the birds and their concerns about birds:
- I promise birds to never hurt them.
- I promise birds to set them free from cages.
At the end of the program, children were asked “what can you do to protect birds?” and they mentioned not to destroy nests of birds and protection of trees. Also parents were insisting on holding more educational Festivals, advertising and raising awareness of children and society.
The Festival was held by the goals of education, promotion of environmental knowledge of children and increasing their familiarity with the conservation of biodiversity.
