It is very important to me that Kay learn to respect animals. She doesn't have to like them, necessarily, but I want her to realize that they have as much a right to be here as she does. We fill up bird feeders and watch squirrels play. She helps to put the dogs food in their bowls and loves to play fetch with our younger dog. I point out ants walking towards an anthill and we catch flies that have wondered into the house so that we can set them free outside.
"Children are born to test their boundaries. They want to explore in any way possible how "far they can go". Children start out with a natural curiosity to search for the power that they possess; the impact that they can have on the life around them. Most children naturally have the urge to step on insects. Throw sand on them. Squish them. It is our job to teach them that life is valuable. It might not seem like a big deal when a child dances around on some ants, but it is a show of aggressive behavior that we as parents should change. It's a great opportunity to teach children about living beings and their role in this world. Ants are fascinating, hard working animals. It's great to sit on the ground with our toddlers and to show them how ants are carrying sticks. How they are going in and out of their houses. To just allow them to kill them and go on with the day is an enormous missed parenting opportunity. "
(from: http://www.veganpeace.com/parenting/peaceful_parenting.htm)
Teach your children how to pet an animal gently, perhaps practicing with a stuffed animal. Also make sure they know not to approach a strange animal without an adult present. We have a chihuahua, a breed notoriously bad with young children. Chihuahuas tend to be very nervous, and little kids are impulsive, quick and loud - a bad combination. So we've been working on teaching Kay to move slowly and quietly when she is near pets, and that if they growl, that means they are saying, "Please leave me alone." I think she's finally catching on. (It only took 4 years!)
This summer Kay has shown an interest in teaching our two dogs tricks. So we've been working on that. She is so proud when she gets them to do something! She's taught them to roll over (kinda....) and to jump through a hula hoop. I think she has a knack for it!
And the number one thing you can do to foster respect for animals in your children is...to show that you yourself care about animals. Preschoolers are the great imitators and they will follow your lead. Pay attention to how you treat your animals: do you yell "shut up" when the dog barks, or strike an animal who has displeased you. If so, you are demonstrating disrespectful behavior to your children, and they will learn to do the same.
This summer Kay has shown an interest in teaching our two dogs tricks. So we've been working on that. She is so proud when she gets them to do something! She's taught them to roll over (kinda....) and to jump through a hula hoop. I think she has a knack for it!
And the number one thing you can do to foster respect for animals in your children is...to show that you yourself care about animals. Preschoolers are the great imitators and they will follow your lead. Pay attention to how you treat your animals: do you yell "shut up" when the dog barks, or strike an animal who has displeased you. If so, you are demonstrating disrespectful behavior to your children, and they will learn to do the same.
from BK, Symphony of Love, via Flickr