10 Tips to teach children respect and love for animals

There are children who seem to have been born with the notion of respect for animal life. They get along very well with the pets at home, never mistreat them and, in return, they receive the same dose of love from their four-legged friends. However, this “idyllic” scene doesn’t happen in every home… young children, especially those under 2 years old, tend to be rougher with pets because they still don’t know how to dose their own strength. Therefore, it is important that parents teach their little ones from an early age based on simple advice that can show that a pet is not a toy, but a living being that deserves to be cared for with love. And this is a lifelong learning experience.

O awesome.club believes it is important to teach young children how to deal with animals. If you have kids, stay tuned for these tips.

Children learn the behavior of their parents. The first step in teaching children to love and respect animal life is to set an example. If you are responsible with the pets, if you treat them as if they were family members, the little ones will do the same. But the example has to be set at all times. It’s no use showing your child that you can’t push the cat off the couch if you later forget to feed him.

Sometimes owning an animal when living in a small house or an apartment is tricky. If this is your case, you can teach your children to love animals by taking them to the zoo on weekends or to a nearby animal farm with rabbits, chickens and horses. In this way, children will be able to see up close how different animals should be treated, no matter the species.

Story time is a favorite for most young children. You can take this opportunity to read some tales about real animals. Complement this activity by choosing children’s television programs with content about animals. It’s a good way to teach that animals have needs like ours, that they feel pain and joy.

Many children who suffer from some type of allergy cannot have real pets, such as cats and dogs. In such cases, a stuffed animal is a good idea to show them respect and kindness. The child can choose and care as if it were real.

Simple tip, but very effective. If you see your child petting an animal, praise him. It doesn’t have to be too effusive, because the intention is not to scare. On the other hand, if you see the little one doing something wrong, even if you are not aware of it, act like an adult: separate the child from the situation and don’t wear yourself out in a long sermon. Say “NO” firmly, and, at the first opportunity, show with examples how to treat the animal.

The animal has the right to be in a bad mood from time to time. If he doesn’t want to be bothered or reacts badly, teach your little one how to handle the situation so he doesn’t get bitten or scratched, for example. You can use your stuffed animal to show you what to do if the dog growls or the cat wants to attack. And, of course, it’s best to stay quiet and wait for the animal to move away. Never use violence. Remember: you are the adult human being. Keep patience when dealing with this game between children and animals.

Make sure you have a place where your pet can rest, away from your child’s naughty little hands. A simple tip is to separate the baby’s area from the animal’s area with protective bars for babies and pets purchased at any specialized store or website. This will delimit the environments and your pet will have its moments of peace, as well as you, who will not have to mediate the relationship between animal and child all the time.

Start early. Get your child used to participating in feedings, walks, vet visits, and playtime. And show that this routine is essential for the pet to be happy. Even though this can sometimes seem tedious, it’s important to make it clear these are tasks that have to be adopted. Try to make your child enjoy the moment.

When the child is older, show him what abuse is and why it should be avoided. Make it clear that although you and your family are affectionate with pets, unfortunately in some places this is not the case. Talk about abandonment and the conditions in which animals live in kennels or on the streets.

Think of the value this kind of education has for your children. When they grow up, they will not only show respect and dignity to animal life, but to all forms of life. And they will also empathize with human life. Encouraging this kind of behavior from an early age is very valuable! So be sure to do it, even on bad days.

Do you believe that teaching children respect for animals is important from an early age? What other tips would you add to our list? Write your opinion in the comments section! And don’t forget to share this post with your friends!