Series 4: Animals
Living in confined high-rise spaces, most Singaporean kids do not have the opportunity and the privilege of interacting with animals at close range. Many have not heard the rooster crow at the break of dawn; dogs bark at strangers or know that milk comes from the udder of cows and not a box in the supermarket!
Most children naturally are drawn to animals – so, capitalise on it. Learning to love and care for animals brings out many good qualities in kids such as kindness, responsibility and even a sense of belonging. New theories suggest that animals at home tend to help kids build immune defenses against some common allergens as well.
So, here are some tips to help your child learn about animals and to have the opportunity to interact with them beyond the pages of a book and the television screen.
Activities to Learn About Animals
Keep a pet
- If you do love animals, then keep pets. There is nothing like direct contact with animals to help kids feel comfortable around them. But, never, ever, give in to pester power if your kids demand a pet and are not willing to take care of the little animal.
- If you have a child with a high risk of developing allergies, talk to the doctor and the veterinarian to identify suitable animals for pets.
Point out animals in books and the screen
- Children's books, television shows and movies do include pictures of animals. Point them out, name them (use more than one language – kids adapt to that easily), talk about the animal. Start with simple things like the sounds the animal makes and then, add more complex information such as where the animal comes from, what it likes to eat, and how to take care of it. As your child grows, encourage reading. Several good books with animal characters or about animals – such as Black Beauty, Animal Farm, and the James Herriot series - are truly inspiring print adventures that will leave lasting impressions in your child's mind.
Make zoo and bird park trips
- The zoo / bird park is a fun place for the entire family. Frequent trips to the zoo / bird park will help your child learn about exotic animals / birds such as the giraffe, zebra, hippopotamus, peacock, flamingo and more. These out-of-school lessons tend to make a greater impact than learning facts by heart.
Visit farms
- Singapore has several farms that will allow your child to see animals at close range. Goat, fish, and alligator farms are just a few that you can visit here. Holidays are great times for you to get your children to enjoy farm stays and learn more about furry and feathered friends.
Visit the parks and the conservation areas
- Instead of trooping through mall after mall every weekend, take your kids down to Sungei Buloh wet lands, the reservoirs and the parks in Singapore. An afternoon in the outdoors will help your kid relax, have fun and learn about animals and birds beyond the confines of the pages of a book or the screen.
Visit the SPCA
- The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty for Animals (SPCA) houses animals that are abandoned or mistreated. A visit to the care centre will help your child realise the importance of caring for animals in a humane manner.
Caring for the Environment and Animals
- Many good books and documentaries are available to help your child realise that mankind has a responsibility to share the world with animals and birds. Careless and cruel acts make the world a difficult place for the animals to survive. Our kids need to be ambassadors for the care of the world and the animals, to ensure that all animals, especially the endangered species survive human activities.
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