Grade 2 students of GIIS Noida were engaged in a project-based – hands-on activity named Bird Feeder that encouraged them to engage with nature and simultaneously enhances their learning abilities.

With a steady supply of food in your feeders, one can have birds in their backyard year-round. Homes with bird feeders attract more birds over time than those without feeders. One of the most relaxing sounds you can experience is the joyful chirping of wild birds in the trees all around your backyard. People enjoy bird feeding as a soothing source of natural beauty and entertainment just outside their windows. In a world overwhelmed with technology, bird feeding provides a nice escape to unwind from daily stresses.

The Birdfeeder activity was conducted as a part of the I CARE program that is an initiative taken by GIIS to educate and sensitize our young students to understand the concept of saving our Earth from various environmental issues.

The activity proposed a break from today’s pandemic and quarantined time, and encouraged students to go out and explore their environment. Green spaces in general have a profound effect on a child’s well-being.  It improves children’s psychological and physical well-being and impacts learning as well. It greatly impacts their behaviour in general i.e. how they attend and engage in the classroom, how much they can concentrate, and how well they get along with their teachers and peers.

This good green exposure restores children’s attention and allows them to concentrate and perform better in cognitive tests, be more engaged and interested in activities happening around them.  Since nature always unfolds new elements, engaging with the natural elements always enhances the social connection and creativity even for individuals who feel marginally socialised. 

Hence the young minds of the school were curious to explore the wilderness and enthusiastically participated throughout the virtual session. They were encouraged to create an all-natural bird feeder using materials available at home to hang in their balcony and feed birds during various seasons. 

The activity gave our students an opportunity to observe the wonders of nature, take a little break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Young ones with access to feeders also learnt to identify bird species, foods that are appropriate for the birds, and the importance of caring for animals. The activity was also an attempt to encourage our little ones to directly engage with nature, value, and appreciate it.