Valentine kindergarten readiness fun and learning posts usually include ideas for making cards, imaginative play like sending mail, activities for art, counting, science, suggestions for books and songs, and more. But today’s post has been inspired by a little girl called Lizzi who is just 3 years old and a very special friend, called Rocket. Her mother wrote today about a conversation that happened at their house. “I miss Rocket” (our family dog that died 5 months ago) Lizzi said this morning. “What do you miss about him?” I replied. With tears in her eyes, she said, “I miss petting him!” Her mom shared that her eyes welled up with tears, too.
Pets, in all shapes, colors, sizes, and kinds, become part of children’s family. Not only do children become attached to their pets, but they learn about caring, responsibility, and controlling their own impulses and actions so they do not hurt their pets. They begin to think about how their pet might feel and develop the skill of empathy. There’s lots of basic science too, about what particular animals eat, how they move, creating mini-environments and more. Even though animals do not communicate in words, they encourage children’s use of language as kids talk to their pets, explain what their pets are doing and tell others about them.
Pets can be common or unusual. Another friend’s family had to find pet-sitters for a stick-bug when they went on holidays because the kids were so concerned about “Branchy”. Sometimes as adults, we may put pets in a list of importance, starting with dogs or cats, then maybe hamsters, gold fish, and on down to frogs, caterpillars and bugs. But kids make their own choices. In a way, choosing a pet is practice for being able to choose friends. Together, kids and pets play.
Are pets so important for kids because they both have such a deep capacity for love–and play? Rocket left a lasting impression on Lizzi’s heart, and Lizzi’s words have left us with a lasting message about kids and learning. Does your child have a pet to learn about and play with?