A ‘ribbeting’ good time at the Agriplex

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North Alabama Agriplex Director Rachel Dawsey reads a book about the lifecycle of a frog to Little Farmers Preschool Program participants. (Maggie Darnell for The Cullman Tribune)

CULLMAN, Ala. – Valentine’s Day was celebrated in a frog-tastic way at the North Alabama Agriplex’s Little Farmers Preschool Program Friday morning. Program participants had the opportunity to celebrate the holiday with amphibious friends and learn the frog life cycle up close.

A spring peeper was the main attraction. Spring peepers are small frogs who, according to National Geographic, “begin emitting their familiar sleigh-bell-like chorus right around the beginning of spring.”

The kids made “tadpole in a jar” creations with tiny craft figures of the frog life cycle while enjoying healthy snacks.

“We just decided it’d be fun to celebrate Valentine’s Day talking about frogs. We were afraid that we were not going to be able find a live one to show,” laughed Agriplex Director Rachel Dawsey, “but luckily it warmed up a little bit and we were able to catch a spring peeper locally. As soon as it warms back up, we will let him back out. We went with ‘Hoppy’ Valentine’s Day, so hopping frogs for valentines. We haven’t done frogs before with preschoolers; we’ve done life cycle classes with older kids, so we talk about the life cycle. It just seemed like a fun thing to do!”

The Little Farmers Preschool Program is for the “youngest farmers,” children ages 3-5, with a parent. The program explores a different topic in the world of agriculture with hands-on activities and crafts each month. Class fees are $5 per child, and registration is required. Visit www.agriplex.org to register.

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