How animals can help your child's development

From teddy bears to favourite TV and cartoon characters, animals are a key part of a young child's development. Children's educational specialist and ex-deputy head Stephanie Cooper has identified five key areas where animals play an important role

Finding things out

Children love to discover more about animals, where and how they live and the things they need.

The incredible richness and diversity of the animal kingdom makes it fascinating for young minds to explore. Creatures of all shapes, colours and sizes are all around us and provoke questions and thought. Why do some animals fly and others swim? Who eats who? Where do they live? Do fish sleep?

Animals inspire a natural desire to learn and acquire knowledge, and to have that knowledge tested. They also hold a fascination that begins in childhood and stays with us throughout our lives. In some ways they are so much like us, and in others they are totally different.

Communication

Finding out more about animals encourages children to have fun with words and pictures, by describing and questioning.

Children love seeing how animals behave and this includes hearing the sounds they make. The simplicity of a 'moo', 'quack' or 'woof' makes them easy for children to mimic. This in turn represents an early opportunity for imaginative role play games.