Understanding how animals thrive and what they need to live can be confusing to young children. If your household has a goldfish, dog, or cat, you can at least start the process of explaining different types of animals, but it’s important for children to learn about more animals than common household pets.
How Animals Breathe
For very small children, the idea that fish need water and dogs need air to breathe may be the safest start. Because curious children can reach in to remove fish from the tank or may try to put the kitty in the bathtub, a basic understanding of gills is a good start!
What Animals Eat
It’s also good to introduce children to the different foods that animals need to eat. Moose are herbivores and eat plants; often a lot of plants to sustain their size! Taking a child to a hobby farm means that little ones can see what chickens eat, as these omnivores include both plants and meat sources (mostly bugs) in their diet.
How Animals Travel
Many animals travel on four feet. Dogs and cats are a good source of study; while dogs can stand on their hind legs and cats can jump, these animals move most efficiently on four feet. As children get older, they can observe birds who move on two feet both in the wild and in domesticated settings.
The difference between the webbed feet of a duck and the sharp nails of a chicken can be an interesting conversation. While chickens can swim for short bursts of time, ducks need their feet to propel them through the water for extended periods. Curious children will enjoy studying these differences and watching ducks swim.
Where Animals Live
The wide variety of animals on the earth will give you the chance to teach your little ones about the many different living conditions on our planet. Animals on the Serengeti are vastly different from those found in the Sonoma Desert, yet your child may spot some similarities as these animals can all tolerate high temperatures and limited water.
As your children age, do your best to involve them in the study of endangered animals. A preserve dedicated to animals that have suffered at the hands of poachers can raise awareness of the plight of endangered animals. Additionally, there are many zoos around the world are involved in breeding programs to increase the population of threatened species.
Fur or Feathers?
Very small children may have a hard time understanding the corollary between skin on people and fur on pets. However, you may be able to boost their understanding by discussing eyebrows or eyelashes. Our brows keep sweat out of our eyes when it’s hot; your puppy’s fur keeps them warm during cold weather. Animals that live outside all the time have further adaptations. Feathers keep birds warm without adding weight so flight is still easy.
Understanding how different types of animals function can be confusing to very small children. Start with needs; the fish needs to stay in the water so it can breathe. Puppies need dog food, not candy, to grow and stay healthy.
Published by: Khy Talara
