Let me tell you ‘bout the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees

by Dusana Bondy (Quality Assurance Auditor, Abell Pest Control Inc.)

On July 23rd, 2008 I had the pleasure to present to the Kindergarten class at Esther Exton Child Care Centre. Our topic of conversation was Bee’s and Wasps. Let me tell you; I didn’t show these children too much that they didn’t already know!

These eager young children where not afraid of these often scary, stinging insects. On the contrary, all 8 children (Ofri, Quinlan, Nimrod, Sylvia, Drew, Charlie, Allie, Roni, Mary) were enthused and curious about the pictures, pined insects and wasp nest I brought with me as my treasures to share.

Their knowledge of bees’ and wasps is primarily due to Sylvia’s first interest in the wasp nest that developed outside the day care playground in the gazebo. Soon all the children were interested in this display of nature at work. This triggered the superb Teacher Mary and Studied Teacher Theresa to build this into a program of study at this Lab School of George Brown College – Early Childhood Program. In partnership with the Daycare, Abell’s Service Technician Zafar Ali controlled the nest during the previous summer season and the persistent insects built another nest in the same location this year. The shelter of the gazebo and plant life around provides an excellent location for these wasps to nest.

Coming from the Pest Management Industry and specifically a team member of the Quality Assurance Department, I was impressed with the detail of study conducted in and outside the daycare. The philosophy of the daycare is to incorporate nature into the classroom and enrich the children with practical and hands on knowledge through the learning process.

Prior to my visit with these curious little children, they had already ventured to the Kortright Centre and the Botanical Gardens to speak with Apiarists and to see bee keeping in action.

We looked at specimens, shared interesting facts and talked about what to do if there is a bee or wasp flying around you. A real focus was on the teamwork displayed by these insects and how they incorporate it into their daily lives. Stressing the importance of teamwork, we performed a role playing game to mirror the “bee dance” that worker honey bee’s do to show other bee’s from the colony where a good pollen site/food source is located.

This was a great learning experience for the children and myself at this daycare center. I look forward to helping bridge the gap between insects, nature and us in the future.

Regards,
Dusana Bondy