Exploring Animals in Singapore: Learning About Nature at Genesis Childcare 1989
- Joseph Ng
- Nov 9, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 21
Animals are fascinating living beings that play a vital role in our world. They breathe, eat, drink, and interact with their environment in amazing ways. In Singapore, children have countless opportunities to learn about animals — not just in books, but through real-life encounters in nature reserves, parks, and popular attractions such as the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Jurong Bird Park, and Marine Life Park.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, our educators in Tampines infant care and Tampines preschool encourage children to explore and understand the natural world. Learning about animals sparks curiosity, builds compassion, and enhances early science skills. From identifying different species to observing how they live, these early lessons nurture a lifelong love for nature.
Understanding the Difference Between Plants and Animals
When teaching young children, it’s important to explain the basic difference between plants and animals. Plants can make their own food using sunlight through a process called photosynthesis. Animals, however, must eat plants or other animals to survive.
In our Tampines child care and Tampines nursery programs, children are guided to understand how animals use their senses — sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell — to find food, protect themselves, and interact with others. These learning moments help children appreciate that every living creature plays a unique role in our ecosystem.
The Two Main Groups of Animals
Scientists classify all animals into two broad categories: vertebrates and invertebrates. Interestingly, about 95% of all animal species are invertebrates!
Vertebrates have a backbone.
Invertebrates do not have a backbone.
Through fun, hands-on learning at Genesis Childcare 1989, children in our Tampines preschool discover how different these groups are. Using educational materials, picture books, and interactive lessons, our teachers make complex scientific ideas simple and engaging for young learners.
Exploring Vertebrates: From Fish to Mammals
Vertebrates include fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals — animals most familiar to children.
Fish are the oldest vertebrates. They live in water, have scales, and breathe through gills. Most fish have skeletons made of bone, while species like sharks and rays have flexible cartilage skeletons.
Amphibians, such as frogs and salamanders, start their lives in water using gills to breathe. As they grow, they develop lungs and legs, allowing them to live both in water and on land.
Reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and crocodiles, are land dwellers with scaly, dry skin. Some reptiles like turtles spend time in water but still breathe air.
Birds are vertebrates covered with feathers and equipped with wings. Many can fly, while some, such as penguins, ostriches, and kiwis, are flightless.
These categories are not just facts for memorization — they’re great conversation starters in our Tampines child care classrooms. Teachers use creative activities like animal puzzles, story time, and outdoor exploration to help children connect with the world around them.
Discovering Invertebrates: The Hidden World Beneath Our Feet
Invertebrates include sponges, jellyfish, worms, echinoderms, molluscs, and arthropods.
Many invertebrates, like jellyfish and worms, have soft bodies and live underwater. Others, such as starfish and sea urchins (called echinoderms), have tough outer coverings and live in the ocean.
Molluscs, such as snails and oysters, may live in water or on land. Arthropods — including insects, spiders, crabs, and centipedes — have jointed legs and hard outer shells called exoskeletons.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, our Tampines nursery children often engage in sensory play and nature walks to observe insects and other small creatures. These activities build confidence, observation skills, and respect for even the tiniest forms of life.
Unique Animals of Singapore
Even though Singapore is a small and bustling city, it’s home to many fascinating native species. Some of these animals can still be spotted in nature reserves or parks — making them perfect topics for children to learn about in our Tampines preschool lessons.
1. Raffles’ Banded Langur
The Raffles’ Banded Langur (Presbytis femoralis femoralis) is one of Singapore’s rarest primates and is critically endangered. Named after Sir Stamford Raffles, this black-and-white monkey was once found in areas such as Tampines, Changi, and Bukit Timah. Today, only about 60 individuals remain, mostly in the Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Nature Reserves.
These monkeys feed on leaves and fruits, living high in the trees. They are easily recognized by their black coats, white eye rings, and distinctive white stripes along the chest and belly. Children learning about the Raffles’ Banded Langur in Tampines child care discover how habitat loss affects animal populations and why conservation matters.
2. Malayan Colugo
The Malayan Colugo is a nocturnal, tree-dwelling glider found in Singapore’s forests. With a large membrane of skin stretching from its neck to tail, it can glide between trees effortlessly. Its diet includes leaves, buds, and flowers.
Colugos are often seen in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Central Catchment area. Their unique adaptation to glide teaches children about evolution and survival — a fascinating lesson in our Tampines preschool science discovery sessions.
3. Common Palm Civet
Also known as the Musang Cat or Toddy Cat, the Common Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) is a small nocturnal mammal found in both forests and urban areas. Civets eat fruits and small animals, helping to disperse seeds that grow into new plants.
Interestingly, civets have scent glands that produce a smell similar to pandan leaves! These creatures remind our Tampines nursery students that animals contribute to nature’s balance — even in a city like Singapore.
4. Wild Boars
Wild boars are native to Singapore and can weigh up to 100 kilograms. These strong animals live in forests and eat roots, seeds, and tubers. Female boars can give birth to several piglets each year, which can affect the forest’s natural regeneration.
During discussions at Genesis Childcare 1989, our teachers explain the importance of not approaching wild animals and respecting their habitats. This helps children develop empathy and awareness about coexistence with nature.
5. Oriental Pied Hornbill
The Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) is one of the most recognizable birds in Singapore. It can be found in Pasir Ris Park, Pulau Ubin, and many green spaces across the island. With its striking black-and-white feathers and a large yellow bill topped by a casque, the hornbill is a delightful sight.
In our Tampines child care curriculum, hornbills are used as examples when teaching about birds’ unique features — from feathers that help with flight to beaks designed for eating fruits and insects.
Bringing Nature into Early Education
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we believe that early childhood education should go beyond classroom learning. Our Tampines infant care, Tampines child care, and Tampines preschool programs integrate environmental education into daily activities.
Children participate in nature-themed art projects, animal storytelling, and outdoor exploration. Through these activities, they develop a sense of wonder, compassion, and responsibility for the environment. Our goal is to help every child grow into a curious, confident learner who appreciates the world around them.
For our youngest learners in Tampines infant care, teachers use soft toys, picture cards, and songs about animals to introduce sounds, colors, and movement. In Tampines nursery, children begin identifying animal habitats and diets, while Tampines preschool students learn about ecosystems, endangered species, and environmental care.
Learning About Nature: The Importance of Early Exposure
Early exposure to nature is linked to better emotional, cognitive, and social development. It helps children manage stress, stay active, and think creatively. At Genesis Childcare 1989, we make sure that every child — from infant to preschooler — gains meaningful learning experiences that connect them with the natural world.
By combining quality care with nature-based education, our Tampines child care center prepares children to be environmentally aware citizens of tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
Animals are not just fascinating creatures to observe — they are essential to our planet’s balance. Understanding them helps children appreciate life in all its forms. At Genesis Childcare 1989, we strive to make learning about animals fun, educational, and meaningful for every child in our Tampines infant care, Tampines preschool, and Tampines nursery programs.
Through curiosity, care, and exploration, we nurture young minds to grow with knowledge, empathy, and love for nature — right here in the heart of Tampines.
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Genesis Tampines Childcare 1989 is one of the best preschool and childcare in Tampines. Our Preschool Tampines have over 30 years of experience in nurturing thousands of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. At our Tampines Childcare, we advocate that every child is unique and precious who needs to be loved and cherished.
As a leading early childhood center in Singapore since 1989, we are committed to nurturing our early learners holistically through various learning areas and positive learning dispositions. We place a strong emphasis on the way our teachers facilitate and interact with the children.
Our Childcare Tampines believe that every child is unique and precious who needs to be loved and cherished. Hence, our holistic curriculum aims to create meaningful learning experiences for each and every one of them!
Our Playgroup Tampines provides parents with the confidence that their children are in the good hands of our trained and caring teachers.
Our professional team of preschool teachers has a good understanding of child development and learning principles. We apply them efficiently and set the stage to create a meaningful learning experience that supports your child's discovery.
We consistently create a positive and cozy environment that will give your child a sense of security which builds their self-confidence to explore the world around them.
If you are looking for a good Tampines infant care or Tampines preschool or Tampines childcare near Tampines Central, do consider Nurture Infant House or Genesis Childcare 1989.
Located alongside our childcare in Tampines is our Nurture Infant House. If you are looking for Tampines infant care or infant care in Tampines, do visit Nurture Infant House. It is for infants aged 2 months to 18 months old. You can learn more about our infant care Tampines here.
Lastly, would you like to visit our Genesis Childcare 1989 to find out more about our environment and setup as well as understand our operations by talking to our teachers and supervisor?
Genesis Childcare 1989 (Playgroup to Kindergarten 2)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-63/65 S(520433)
Nurture Infant House (2 to 18 months Infants)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-61 S(520433)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday (7am to 7pm) & Saturday (7am to 2pm)
Public Bus services: 8 / 21 / 28 / 29 / 293
Tel: 96664141
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