2. Respect Personal Space
Use your pets to demonstrate how to respect an animal’s personal space to your child. As soon as they’re old enough to understand, teach them that animals deserve gentle pets, not smacks. Some children may want to play rougher with an animal than they should, such as by pulling their tail.
Dogs have a stress threshold that allows them to withstand triggers, but if a child stresses them out too much, they may respond by snapping or biting. Instruct your child not to push your pets beyond their limits and respect their space. After all, it’s their home, too.
Use your pets to demonstrate how to respect an animal’s personal space to your child.
3. Learn Conservation Methods
Conservation means that the measures your child undertakes will help protect the environment for animals and future generations of humans. Even from a young age, kids can help by planting trees or working in a home garden, as well as avoiding littering and paying attention to the resources they use. Education is key. You should inspire your kids to always keep learning, no matter how old they are. Picking up new things is not limited by age.
One easy way to allow children to see and respect animals is by going to a wildlife reserve or well-kept zoo. This way, your child can interact with and watch the animals without interfering in their lives. It’s a nice way to teach kids about boundaries as they come to know the species found in different parts of the world.
Whether your child plans to have pets in the future or not, they can still reap the benefits of spending time around them at home.
Make the World a Better Place, One Animal at a Time
Whether your child plans to have pets in the future or not, they can still reap the benefits of spending time around them at home. Teach them how to treat animals right from a young age, from steering clear of their personal space and reading body language to caring for them. Ultimately, your child will be more well-rounded and become a global citizen, working for the benefit of creatures everywhere.
Jane is the founder and editor-in-chief of Environment.co where she shares practical tips on how to live a greener life.
