2020
25 • 06 • 2020
Almost 4 000 Children have Explored the Forest in LVM Eco-programme “Pigman’s Detectives”
This year, during the distance learning period, the young detectives and their teachers were especially diligent, as evidenced by the large group of participants – about 4 000 forest friends! This school year has brought new inspiration to the content of the LVM eco-programme: video lessons have been added to the two-year curriculum with the usual printed and digital teaching aid. They are available on the website www.cukmens.lv.
After the successful end of the school year, Pigman continues to be active. Throughout the summer, you will have the opportunity to meet him in Latvia’s State Forests Nature Park in Tērvete, of course, observing all safety rules so as not to endanger himself and others. The defender of clean forests will also be present in camps and other events organized by the Latvian Children's Fund. You can follow Pigman on his Facebook page.
Every year, teachers are encouraged not only to send information about children's performance and achievements within the programme, but also give feedback and evaluation of the “Pigman’s Detectives” programme. A teacher from Strenči municipality pre-school educational institution “Minkāns” shares her experience: “I liked that the study topics included in the programme are wide and easily adaptable to the current interests and wishes of children. Most importantly, children became more responsible towards the environment. They continued the topics discussed in the classes at home with relatives. However, we did experience some disappointment. Not all of the ideas found in the depths of the Internet are viable, because our experiment to grow a pine from a pine cone failed. But we were lucky that the dad of a child in the group knew why it happened. The most important lesson learned during the “Pigman’s Detectives” programme is that you have to start with yourself, because I am responsible and it is my task not to litter the forest.”
“The children were delighted to meet Pigman. Children in the youngest groups believe that Pigman regularly monitors the cleanliness of Latvia's nature and reprimands people who cause damage to nature. It is convenient for teachers to prepare for the classes offered by the “Pigman's Detective” programme, because it is clearly explained what knowledge must be passed on to children on the relevant topic,” says the teacher of Jūrmala pre-school educational institution “Austras koks”.
A teacher from Liepāja pre-school educational institution “Gulbītis” also shares her thoughts on the programme. This kindergarten is one of the most active and oldest participants in the eco-programme: “Very interesting content and diverse tasks: developing, educating, creative. “Pigman’s Detectives” programme uses legends, games and various tasks to teach children to protect the forest and its inhabitants. The children were happy and interested in participating in the programme and tried to complete all the tasks.”
LVM's eco-programme “Pigman’s Detectives” is intended for children aged 5 to 7, urging them to perform practical tasks, while children acquire knowledge about forests and forest products. Through specially designed on-line and board games, dances, songs, fairy tales and visualizations, children perform a variety of detective tasks, thus learning the good and bad of the forest.
The tasks for each theme include the principle: “See, Hear, Listen, Do”, which keeps children actively engaged in fun activities. In the second year of the programme, children are encouraged to spend time outdoors and go into forest to discover it during all four seasons. The programme is implemented as part of a long-term national campaign “Do not Litter the Forest!”, which is financially supported by the Latvian Environmental Protection Fund.
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