Observing at the Zoo

Observing at Racine Zoo is actually more of an exercise in childhood freedom than interactions. There is something about a zoo on a beautiful sunny day that takes each of us back to childhood memories. The zoo is situated just off the beach of Lake Michigan in south eastern Wisconsin. Once you enter the iron gates cut in the shapes of animals its like entering a large garden that just happens to have animals. Being it was the beginning of the warm weather season, and only April 1 there were fewer than a dozen animals out for observing.

More than seeing the animals it seems the children enjoy the freedom of running ahead, going to see this animal or that, without an adult glued to them. In urban areas, I often feel what children are missing, even more than outdoor space, is the freedom to spend time outdoors on their own. While visiting a friend in Michigan, she suggested the children go outside to play. I started to follow the children outside like the typical urban parent, but my friend just stood there and said, ‘Where are you going?’. Where was I going? The yard was large, enclosed, with a swingset, fort, green grass, some woods in the back. There was no need for me to go outside, these children had the freedom to go outside when they pleased and to spend time by themselves, with no adults making decisions, mediating arguments, or suggesting activities. The zoo allows for a small dose of that freedom. Because it’s a family destination, and fairly safe, parents can relax and allow for wandering.

Being allowed to explore was one of the most positive experiences, choosing which cage to look in next, which path to take, and how much time to spend at each display. The kids would run far ahead and climb on the railings separating the animals from observers. They didn’t have as much interest in the few animals out as they did jumping from sidewalk square to square. There was a little train that took them on a ride along the beach lakeshore. Even though it was such a brief ride and they didn’t see anything but the backside of a sleeping bear, it was an exciting diversion too. They were so happy to be sent into the monkey house by themselves that they dashed back to their adults to report what they saw.

Spending an afternoon someplace like this is a great experience is letting go and allowing everyone to observe, walk, and enjoy being together at their own pace. Too often children are forced to do things at an adult pace, walk along a busy sidewalk, jump onto a subway car, get ready for school, rush home from school. As soon as we realize that children observe and input stimulus at a different rate we can learn to adjust ourselves to try to see the world as they do.