Learning with Flamingos in Marzamemi (Sicily)

When in Marzamemi we spotted a large group of flamingos gracefully feeding in the shallow waters. We explained: "Did you know that flamingos are born with grey feathers? They turn pink because of the shrimp and algae they eat, which contain carotenoids pigments that make their feathers pink!" Watching the flamingos feed, our children were fascinated by how diet affects the birds' appearance. Children labeled parts of the flamingo’s body in their nature notebook. 

While S worked on her writing, N was eager to join in. Flamingos are known for holding their breath underwater to feed, so we thought it would be fun to see how long each of us could hold our breath. Our 3-year-old joined the challenge with giggles, while our 6-year-old managed to hold her breath for a longer stretch. We counted the seconds, and it became a playful way to explore lung capacity and breath control. This simple experiment helped our children learn about the importance of breathing and how it relates to the flamingos' feeding habits.

For us, living aboard means that every moment is a chance to learn and grow.  It isn’t always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. We look forward to more adventures and lessons that come from our ever-changing classroom 