About Waterfowl: A Guide for Children
#1 of 13 in Usborne 100 Things to Know About... Series
What’s inside...
An informative and entertaining introduction for young children to the amazing birds that live near water in all types of habitats. In this addition to the About… series, award-winning author Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what waterfowl are, where they live, what they eat, and how they move. John Sill's detailed, full-color illustrations show the characteristics of different types of waterfowl—from the Trumpeter Swans of northwestern North America to the Bar-headed Geese of central Asia. Young learners who may only be familiar with the ducklings and geese on local ponds and lakes will be delighted to discover the amazing variety of waterfowl in the world. A glossary and afterword provide further fascinating details about waterfowl that will inspire readers to learn more.
Discussion points
What do you think a day in the life of a waterfowl looks like?
Why do you think waterfowl migrate during certain seasons?
How do you think living near water affects the way waterfowls behave?
What can we do to help protect waterfowl in their natural habitats?
If you were a waterfowl, which type would you be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive and animated tones when discussing different types of waterfowl to make the conversation more lively.
Relate the waterfowl’s migration and adaptation habits to familiar situations, like moving to a new home or preparing for different weather, to make concepts more relatable.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite waterfowl or to act out how they think a waterfowl would behave, to deepen their connection with the material.
Discuss the importance of environmental conservation and how it directly affects the lives of waterfowls to instill early awareness and responsibility.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: The book educates children on various types of waterfowl and their habitats, emphasizing the importance of preserving natural environments.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and protect the wildlife and natural areas around them, fostering a lifelong commitment to environmental conservation.
Example Lesson: Diversity and adaptation
Explanation: Through detailed illustrations and descriptions, children discover how different waterfowl species have adapted to thrive in diverse environments.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to value diversity and adaptability, encouraging them to understand and respect different cultures and environments in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Scientific curiosity
Explanation: By presenting factual information about waterfowl, the book encourages a scientific approach to learning about animal behavior and biology.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to pursue knowledge and ask questions about the natural world, boosting their confidence in science-related subjects.
Example Lesson: Conservation efforts
Explanation: The book highlights the impact of human activities on waterfowl populations and discusses conservation efforts.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to participate in or initiate conservation projects, such as local clean-up days or wildlife protection programs.
Example Lesson: Empathy towards animals
Explanation: Stories and facts about the struggles and lives of waterfowl stir empathy and caring for animals.
Real-World Application: This can lead to kinder behavior towards animals and a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all living beings.