"Go Away Mosquitoes" • Big Apple Child Care and Development Centre

The K2 children’s interest in mosquitoes grew following the Zika and Dengue Fever outbreak in 2016. Thus the school partnered the National Environment Agency to provide opportunities for the children to learn more about mosquito breeding. The children also learnt more about the life cycle of mosquitoes and the causes of Dengue Fever. 

Subsequently, the children brainstormed ideas to prevent mosquito breeding and ways to involve the community in doing so. They suggested that they make checklists to disseminate to their parents and conduct house visits to help check for mosquito breeding spots.  

This activity provided an authentic context for children to use language in their interactions between themselves and members of the community. From what they have learnt, the children designed a checklist to check for mosquito breeding grounds in homes. Members of the community allowed children to enter their homes to check for mosquito breeding grounds using their checklist. The children also talked about how to prevent mosquito breeding with the home owners.  

After the house visits, the children discussed what they have learnt with their teachers. They also engaged in simple writing and drawing to reflect on how they felt about mosquitoes.