Spring has officially arrived, and so has the excitement of baby chicks in Mrs. Johnson’s Pre-K class at Northeast Elementary. Last week, the Mississippi State University Extension Service brought an incubator full of eggs to the classroom as part of their Poultry Hatch-Out program.
Over the weekend, four adorable chicks hatched, much to the delight of the young students. The Poultry Hatch-Out program is an educational initiative that aims to teach children about the process of hatching eggs, chick care, and biosecurity. It helps kids understand where their food comes from while also exposing them to farm animals, something that many of them might not have had the chance to experience before.
Meribeth Boland, a representative from the MSU Extension Service, explained that the program not only teaches the students about how chicks grow and hatch, but also emphasizes the importance of handling them gently and responsibly. The children learn key lessons about hygiene, such as washing their hands to prevent the spread of germs, and how to interact calmly and carefully with the chicks.
To further enrich the lesson, Boland also brought in a goat named Lovebug. She used Lovebug to teach the children about the differences between birds and mammals, giving them a broader understanding of farm life. The experience was both educational and exciting for the Pre-K students, making it a memorable springtime event.
