We share the world we live in with several different creatures. One of them is animals; animals are everywhere around us. We humans depend on them for several things like food, companionship, clothing etc. Teaching little children about animals is an important part of their early education. It is necessary to help them understand more about their environment and the world around them.
Children are naturally drawn towards animals. If you put a child in a playpen with some kittens, puppies or fluffy bunnies, chances are you’ll find your toddler happily playing with them. According to research, this is a biological phenomenon. It is their innate curiosity about creatures that aren’t human. Additionally, it’s the human instinct to want to nurture or care for tiny or vulnerable creatures. Unlike adults, children don’t see an animal as a source of food, clothing or medical research subjects. They value animals as simply other living beings that are important and love their company.
Introducing children to animals is very easy; most kids take to animals like ducks to water. You can take them to the zoo to show them exotic animals. Or, take them to a petting zoo for an up-close and personal experience with farm animals. You can also use animal coloring pages to help children learn about different kinds of animals. There are several fun ways to help children learn about animals easily. Here are 5 fun ways to introduce your child to animals.
5 Ways to Help Children Learn about Animals
These 5 methods are simple but great fun for the little ones. Try these activities to help your child learn about different kinds of animals.
Nature walk: A nature walk is a great way to introduce children to different kinds of animals and birds. Nature trails are great places to catch a glimpse of squirrels, cows, different kinds of birds, insects, deer, ducks, beavers etc. Go on a picnic with your child and point out different animals as you see them. As kids see and observe the animals, they get better visual understanding, which helps them retain the information in their minds for longer. Additionally, along with learning about animals, kids get some fresh air and exercise, which is always a bonus.
Petting Zoo: Introduce your child to domestic animals, pets and farm animals by taking them to a petting zoo at a local fair. Kids get to see animals like ducks, geese, cows, pigs, goats, dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits etc. It’s the perfect place for kids to feed, interact with, pet and learn more about farm animals.
Animal books and songs: If your children are not outdoorsy and are scared to touch animals, consider introducing them to animals through animal books and songs. Little children are introduced to different animals through nursery rhymes from an early age. Songs like Old MacDonald Had a Farm, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Three Blind Mice help children learn about different kinds of animals. You can use picture books or read children’s stories like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little etc. These activities will help your child learn to identify the animal by looking at its picture.
Worksheets: One of the best ways to help your children practice what they’ve learnt is through worksheets. Using animal drawing and coloring worksheets like cat coloring pages is a wonderful way to help children learn about animals. As children draw and color the images in the worksheets, it helps them memorize the physical characteristics of the animal.
Puzzles: Animal-themed jigsaw puzzles are a wonderful way to help children learn about animals. Buy or rent age-appropriate jigsaw puzzles on different kinds of animals for your child. As the kids join the pieces to complete the puzzle, they learn about the physical traits of the animal. For example, the size, shape, color etc., of the particular animal. Once they’re done solving the puzzle, ask them to name the animal and describe it. Help the child learn about its habitat, food habits, characteristics etc. This will help the child identify the animal easily.
Learning about animals and interacting with them is extremely beneficial for children. It boosts their confidence, empathy, emotional development and builds an awareness of their surroundings.
