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How can I Teach Children to be Kind to Animals?

K T Solis
K T Solis

Preschool and early primary teachers can teach children to be kind to animals by using a well-known nursery rhyme. The nursery rhyme Mary Had a Little Lamb was written in the 19th century and contains a valuable lesson for all children, the importance of being kind to animals. The simple rhyme is the ideal way to teach children an importance lesson they can carry with them throughout their lives.

Teachers can use a copy of the rhyme in picture-book form to illustrate this lesson for students. An excellent version of the story is a book published in 1989 with photographs by Bruce McMillan. The book features contemporary photos of a young African-American girl caring for her lamb.

Stories about animals can help children learn to be kinder.
Stories about animals can help children learn to be kinder.

Before the lesson begins, locate a lamb stuffed animal and bring it to the classroom. Sit the children on the floor in the storytime area, and show them how to pet the toy in a gentle manner. This will give them hands-on practice on how to be kind to animals as they pet them. Place the lamb on the floor and ask the students to raise their hands if any of them own a pet. Allow some time for discussion, since small children love to talk about any animals they may have in the home.

Children can draw or write down different ways to be kind to animals.
Children can draw or write down different ways to be kind to animals.

After allowing students time to discuss the different pets they own, ask them what pets need in order to be healthy and happy. Sample responses may include food, water, and a place to sleep. After praising children for their answers, tell the students they will now hear about a girl and a pet that followed her everywhere she went.

At that point, show the students the book Mary Had a Little Lamb. Talk about the book cover and the author. Be sure to show the title page as well.

Having a small pet can teach children more about animals.
Having a small pet can teach children more about animals.

Next, read the story to the children, showing the pictures to them as the book is read. During the reading of the book, some teachers may choose to talk about the pictures as well. This is a visual example of what children need to do in order to be kind to animals.

Students should take note of Mary petting the lamb, feeding it, spending time with it, and treating it kindly. After reading the story, ask the children why the lamb liked to be around Mary. Students will probably respond by commenting that Mary was nice to the lamb and took care of it. Tell the students that everyone in the world should follow Mary's example and be kind to animals.

Remind the students that if they tease their pets, hit them, pull their tails, or display other cruel acts, their pets will not want to be around them. Discuss the fact that the lamb followed Mary everywhere because it loved her. A pet cannot love someone who tries to hurt it or neglects it.

After discussion of the book, ask students to draw pictures of a pet they have or would like to have. They can draw or write about all the things they need to do in order to be kind to animals. Another alternative is to distribute old magazines and newspapers and allow students to cut pictures of things that pets need. They can choose pictures of pet food, water, a person caring for a pet, or any other picture that illustrates the lesson. Children can then glue the pictures to construction paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to teach children to be kind to animals?

Teaching kindness to animals is crucial as it fosters empathy, responsibility, and respect for living beings. According to the American Psychological Association, children who learn to care for animals often exhibit more nurturing behavior and can develop better social skills. This compassion can extend to their interactions with people, contributing to a more humane society.

At what age should I start teaching my child about kindness to animals?

It's beneficial to start as early as possible. Even toddlers can learn the basics of gentle touch and the importance of not hurting animals. The Humane Society suggests that as children grow, their capacity to understand and care for animals increases, allowing for more complex lessons in animal welfare and ethical treatment as they mature.

How can I model kind behavior towards animals for my children?

Children learn by example, so consistently demonstrate gentle handling and speak kindly about and to animals. Show them how to care for pets by feeding, grooming, and providing proper veterinary care. Engage in activities like bird watching or visiting animal sanctuaries, emphasizing the importance of respecting animals' habitats and needs.

What are some effective ways to teach children about the needs of animals?

Interactive learning is highly effective. Create opportunities for children to be involved in the daily care of pets, such as feeding, walking, and playing. Educational books and documentaries about animals can also provide insights into their needs. Discussions about why animals require certain habitats or diets can help children understand the complexity of animal welfare.

How can I explain to my child that not all animals are safe to interact with?

Explain that like people, animals have boundaries and can feel scared or threatened. Teach children to observe an animal's body language and to always ask before approaching an animal they don't know. Emphasize that wild animals should be admired from a distance to ensure both the child's and the animal's safety.

What resources are available for teaching children about kindness to animals?

There are numerous resources available, including educational programs from organizations like the ASPCA and the Humane Society, which offer age-appropriate materials and activities. Local animal shelters often provide tours and volunteer opportunities. Books, games, and online resources specifically designed for children can also be valuable tools in teaching animal kindness.

Discussion Comments

MrsPramm

@KoiwiGal - Teachers and parents just need to ensure they walk the walk rather than just hanging a "be kind to animals" poster on the wall. If you tell kids that they should be kind to all animals and then panic when there might be a mouse or spider in the room, or something, then you are sending really mixed messages.

You don't need to become a full on vegetarian, but I do think that you need to have some kind of philosophy in place about animals and how you think they should be treated and be consistent about it.

Children like explanations that make sense to them. They like understanding the way the world works. If you explain why animals should be treated well in a way that they find relevant, they are much more likely to do it in the future.

KoiwiGal

@croydon - I agree that the idea of being kind and cautious around animals should be mentioned a lot with children, but explicit lessons are important as well. I actually think every classroom should have their own class pet, if possible and lessons should revolve around that.

It's particularly good if it's something that you can't really pet or hold like frogs or mice, because it teaches kids that they don't always have to be hands on to explore what a creature happens to be like. They can watch and listen and so forth instead.

croydon

I like this idea of a lesson, but this kind of thing really needs to be discussed more than once with young children. They will often be kind and concerned about animals as a default position but just not realize how to show it.

It's also extremely important to make sure that they understand that they should never approach an animal that they don't know well. You can end up making them too enthusiastic about gently patting every dog they see and that can lead to trouble if they try to pat one that doesn't want to be touched.

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      By: evarin20
      Stories about animals can help children learn to be kinder.
    • Children can draw or write down different ways to be kind to animals.
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      Having a small pet can teach children more about animals.