Animals

What Makes Childhood Magical? Part 14: Pets

2014/05/19 admin Leave a comment

The Magic of Pets

Having a pet is the dream and wish of many kids. Pets can be common or unusual, inside or outside. 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 have their own ideas about what to have for pets. A family in our neighborhood has a pet stick bug that lives in an old aquarium. It’s name is Branchy. In a way, choosing a pet is practice for being able to choose friends. Together, kids and pets play.

As kids develop a bond with their pets, they also learn to be gentle and caring. Having a pet comes with responsibilities like cleaning, feeding, and exercising. Children also learn to think not just of what they themselves want but the wants and needs of their pets. Does the kitty like to chase a stick? No, it likes to chase a piece of string. Does the dog like to watch tv? No, it likes to go for a walk, (and eat icecream).

The presidents of major unions should have the negotiating skills of kids as they try and talk parents into getting a pet. But there are lots of reasons why some pets are not possible, such as allergies, being in a place that doesn’t allow them, expense, and being away from home all day.

Pets, in all shapes, colors, sizes, and kinds, become part of children’s family. Not only do kids become attached to their pets, but they learn about responsibility, and controlling their impulses and actions so they do not hurt their pets. This is the beginning of empathy for others. There’s some basic science too, about what pets eat, how they move, creating mini-environments, and more. Even though animals do not communicate in words, they encourage children’s language as kids talk to their pets, explain what their pets are doing, and tell others about them.

Are pets so magical for kids because they both have such a deep capacity for love, as well as for play? Does your child have a pet?

Play Activities

Kindergarten Readiness ABC’s – Z is for Zoo

2013/01/31 admin Leave a comment

The last kindergarten readiness fun and learning thru the alphabet is finished off with the letter Z. Often times, life with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers can seem like a zoo, so how about a zoo activity or, at least, something with animals? Kids seem to develop a special closeness to animals, knowing the sounds of some they have never seen before. Family pets are almost like brothers and sisters to little ones. Could your little one do something special for a pet or other animal today?

Some other zoo activities include reading books about animals, especially ones with lots of pictures or telling stories about them. Kids may want to pretend they are animals complete with animal sounds, but not necessarily animal snacks. There are lots of animal zongs to zing, er…, songs to sing, like Old Macdonald, 3 Little Ducks, Doggy in the Window, Monkeys on the Bed, Bear Went Over the Mountain, and others. Kids might want to make some animals with playdough, or build some fences for animal play with blocks. Would your child like to do an animal puzzle or count some little plastic ones? How about a zoo tea party?

What other zillion zany ideas for zoo fun, and kindergarten readiness learning and play, might your child enjoy?

Nature Activities

Fall Nature Activities #10-A Big Den

2012/10/13 admin Leave a comment

That’s 10 special kindergarten readiness and nature fun and learning activities for fall. Den rhymes with 10, as in an animal den or home. At this time of year many animals are looking for and making homes.

Animals can have all kinds of homes. What kinds of animals live under rocks? Help your child turn over a few to find out. There are often many interesting kinds of bugs and other crawly critters. Besides on the ground, homes can be up high. There may be some bee hives to see.

If there are any trees in your area, see if there are any squirrels or racoons that may be making a home in the tree. Sometimes, even tree stumps or fallen logs can be homes for small creatures. There may be some empty nests. Where have the birds gone? Look very closely in case there is a tiny, carefully hidden fairy house!

A special story to read at this time of year is Mousekin’s Golden House, by Edna Miller. A little mouse makes a den inside a jack-o-lantern after Halloween where he sleeps inside all snug and warm while the fall wind and winter snow blow outside. The story also shows other animals looking for homes in the mud around the pond.

The Earth is a big den for many animals, and people too. What other animal homes can your child find?