Learning through touch and smell

	A learner of the Prinshof school for the visually impaired and blind savours the soft fur of a rabbit.
	A girl gently touches a horse.
	This is what animal feed feels like.
	Learners had an opportunity to feel and smell an assortment of animal droppings.

Learners from the Prinshof School for the visually impaired and blind visited the NZG (National Zoological Gardens of South Africa) for a lesson with a difference.

Marita Erlank, a Tshwane University of Technology student doing her learning/ experiential training, organised fun interactive hands-on activities for the learners to participate in at the farmyard. Marita, who was herself a student at Prinshof, was the ideal candidate to host such a visit. Her own visual impairment enabled her to design a lesson that the learners not only enjoyed, but also provided them a unique opportunity to learn a great deal by using their dominant senses.

The learners, ranging from Grade R to Grade 3, arrived at the zoo filled with excitement and eager to learn. The hands-on interactive lesson started in the farmyard where explanations of farmyard animals and their products, as well as the difference between wild and domestic animals were given. As these learners have to rely on using their dominant senses to take in information to enable learning, it was vital to provide a friendly environment filled with opportunities for touch and smell during the lesson.

The farmyard provided the perfect learning environment. Learners were encouraged to participate in the activities by using their senses. Not only did the learners touch various farm animals, but they were also given the opportunity to handle an ostrich egg and feathers. Different food items such as pieces of carrots, chopped spinach, green beans and rabbit pellets were made available for them to feel and smell, as well as an assortment of animal droppings.

Discovering a whole new world

For many, this was a first time experience and the activities provided them with a whole range of new sounds and smells. The highlight of the day for many of the learners was being able to touch unusual objects such as an ostrich egg, and of course to touch farmyard animals such as a rabbit, guinea pig and a horse for the first time.

It was clear from the expressions on their happy faces that the children had really enjoyed this type of hands-on interactive lesson, which exposed them to new opportunities not only to enjoy their outing to the farmyard but also to learn outside the classroom environment.

Claire Fordred, Intern, NZG