How was the Maiasaura a good mother to its babies?
BACKGROUND RESEARCH NOTES:
The name maiasaura actually means "good mother dino"!
Paleontologists found lots of eggs with Maiasaura bones.
MY PLAN:
I’ll be a baby Maisaura and see how a mom and dad Maiasaura treat me.
FIELD NOTES:
The mommy Maiasaura chewed up food to give me!
A Maiasaura dad nicely pushed me out of the nest to teach me how to be independent.
Both mom and dad protected me when a T. rex came!
FINDING:
The Maiasaura make great parents! They fed me, nudged me to be on my own, and protected me!
FOR TEACHERS / PARENTS:
About the Episode: Dana investigates what makes the Maiasaura a good mother and a good father to its babies. Dana learns that just like her parents, the Maiasaura parents protect, mentor and feed their babies. She was able to observe Maiasaura's behaviours and report her observations back to her parents. Her parents helped Dana realize that Maiasaura mothers and fathers can act similarly to human mothers and fathers.
Extension Activity:
Encourage your child to think of the (many) things you do as a parent to take care of them! Compare it to how other animals take care of their babies. Encourage your child to “parent” a baby doll or stuffed animal using the discussed techniques!
Examples of how some animals take care of their babies:
• Orangutan moms never let go of their babies, not once! The kids cling on to their mom for the next five years after being born!
• Penguin moms and dads take turns to raise their babies. One will hunt for food, while the other stays with the baby to keep them warm and safe.
• An alligator protects her babies by carrying them in her mouth to make sure they are safe when they travel from the land to the water.
• Each night before going to sleep, gorillas make a cozy bed out of leaves. Gorilla moms share these nests with their babies.
Heart Moment: In this episode, Dana is able to witness the love and affection Maisauras give to their babies and realizes that her parents did the same for her when she was little (and still do!). Although children don’t always know how much their parents do for them, it’s important for children to know (and see) that they have family who loves them and will do anything to nurture them, protect them and keep them safe and healthy. Observing and understanding these types of behaviours will encourage children to imitate these behaviours in various aspects of their lives and hopefully teach them the importance of kindness and love.
CURRICULUM EXPECTATIONS:
Kindergarten
13.3 Select and use materials to carry out their own explorations
14.3 Recognize, explore, describe and compare patterns in the natural and built environment
Grade 1 Science– Understanding Life Systems Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
2.3 Investigate and compare the physical characteristics of a variety of plants and animals, including humans
3.2 Identify the physical characteristics (e.g., size, shape, colour, common parts) of a variety of plants and animals
Grade 1 - Social Studies
A1.2 Describe how some significant events in their lives led to changes in their roles, relationships, and/or responsibilities
A1.3 Compare some of the significant events in their own lives and/or lives of their family members with those in the lives of their peers
Grade 2 Science – Understanding Life Systems Growing and changes in Animals
2.2 Observe and compare the physical characteristics (e.g., fur or feathers; two legs or no legs) and the behavioural characteristics (e.g., predator or prey) of a variety of animals, including insects, using student-generated questions and a variety of methods and resources
3.1 Identify and describe major physical characteristics of different types of animals (e.g. insects, mammals, reptiles)
