Zoo Boo at Memphis Zoo

Today, I volunteered at the Memphis Zoo’s Zoo Boo event, where I spent time teaching young children about animals of the night. At the flashlight game station, I helped children explore animals they could find in their own backyards. My role gave me the opportunity to combine something I enjoy, working with children, with a chance to serve families in the Memphis community. I appreciated being able to contribute to their experience by making the game an opportunity to learn something about the world around them.

One of the most meaningful parts of this experience was connecting the information to places the children already know. Teaching them about backyard animals made the topic relevant to their everyday lives. Rather than thinking of wildlife as something they can only see at the zoo, children could begin to recognize that there are animals worth noticing and learning about close to home. This helped me reflect on the importance of making learning accessible. A familiar setting, such as a backyard, can become a starting point for questions, exploration, and a greater appreciation for nature.

As a future elementary teacher, I also valued the opportunity to share information through play. The flashlight game gave the learning a purpose within an activity the children could participate in. It reminded me to think about how I introduce information and how I can make a topic understandable and interesting for young learners. Knowing information is only one part of teaching. I also have to consider how to explain it in a way that connects with children and gives them room to be curious. This is something I want to continue developing in my own classroom through hands-on activities and connections to students’ experiences.

This experience reinforced why I enjoy working with children and why community service is important to me. At Zoo Boo, I was able to use my interest in teaching to contribute to a community event and help children explore a topic they can continue thinking about after leaving the zoo. Moving forward, I want to create more opportunities for children to discover learning in familiar places. My time at the flashlight station reminded me that a meaningful teaching moment can begin with a simple game and a connection to a child’s own world.

The experience was great