How to Teach Respect for Animals

Children learn how to treat animals by watching others. Even if you are setting a good example for your children, there may be some people in their lives that are not. Teaching respect for animals is necessary at every stage of your child's life and stressing the importance of kindness to your pets is essential.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Show kindness to your pets. Gently remove your cat from the table instead of swatting her down or get up and find out why the dog is barking instead of yelling at him to quiet down.

2. Correct your children when they are too rough with animals. Children do not understand when they are being too rough so they must be taught how to gently touch animals.

3. Reward your children with hugs when they gently touch your pets and point out how happy your animals are. Explain why the cat purrs when you pet her or why the dog rolls on his back for a belly rub.

4. Include your children in your daily feeding and grooming routines. They can help pour the cat food or brush the dog.

5. Bring your children to the veterinarian's office for yearly check ups. You can explain how animals need check ups just like they do and let them help calm your dog or cat if possible.

6. Report any kind of animal abuse. Let your children know it is all right to come to you if they witness animal cruelty and teach them how to help the affected animal by contacting the authorities.

Tips & Warnings

• Always teach your children to avoid animals they don't know, even if they seem friendly.

Resources

• Log on with your children to aspcaeducation.org for fun ways to learn about animals and how to treat them with care.