As we all know, this year has been a rollercoaster ride. There have been constant changes, restrictions and challenges faced by the world and felt here at Kuyper. One of the positives to come out of all this upheaval, has been the opportunity for Prep to run for 3 days instead of 2 during Term 4. The Prep class are enthusiastic and excited to be “God’s Little Explorers” as they prepare for Kindergarten.
One of the exciting learning opportunities that Prep has been involved with this term is hatching chickens right here in the Prep room. We would like to thank Mrs Allen and the Elective Agriculture class for supporting our learning about God’s world.
We may have been restricted in the usual ways from being part of the Kuyper community, but this opportunity has proven to be a precious and exciting time. There have been so many questions. “How long till they hatch?” and “How many will hatch?” “ How will they get out?” “ How much longer?” “ Will we see them hatch?” We definitely learned about being patient! 21 days is an eternity when you’re 4 or 5 years old. But it was wonderful to experience the life-cycle of a chicken. We watched and waited (and waited and watched) until we had some tiny, adorable creatures to look after.
We were shown how to “candle” the eggs to check the chickens’ growth. We saw the fetus, veins and air sack. 
First to hatch was Sunshine; he’s turning into a very handsome rooster. Then came Squeak and Fluffy.
It was tricky deciding on names for our feathered friends, but Preps are very creative and they named the first 3 chicks Sunshine, Fluffy and Squeak. We also adopted another chick which we called Popcorn. They started out as tiny little chicks who slept most of the day and woke up and cheeped when we talked to them. As they grew, we noticed their changing colours and size. Sadly, they grew much too big for our classroom. But the Preps enjoy being able to visit them in the high school.
The chickens are now big enough for them to hold and pat and we are amazed at how big they are and how smooth and soft their feathers feel. The Preps have learned the difference between hens and roosters and discovered that it’s very tricky to tell the difference between them when they are tiny, but it gets easier as they get bigger. We even know where their ears are now! The Prep class love all of God’s creation and have a special connection to these little Belgium Bantams.
God’s creation is wonderful. The way the Preps view the world reminds me constantly of how God views His creation. It is good! There is so much to be excited and blessed by if you look at the world from a child’s perspective. Take the time to be amazed, enjoy all the blessings that God gives us every day, and be thankful.
“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Mark 10:15-16