During the summer, many families decide that going to the zoo is great summer entertainment. Most children love to see animals and going to the zoo is the perfect place to do it. As a parent, it’s fun to see your child’s eyes light up when they see an elephant for the first time or to see their giggles as they watch the monkeys play.
Going to the zoo is a real “no-brainer” as a form of entertainment. Children are easily engaged while watching the animals. When you have younger children, it’s easy for parents to suddenly find themselves asking their children what sound a certain animal makes or imitating it.
But did you know that there is much more that you can teach your child at a zoo? But first, why should you teach your child instead of just letting him run and be a kid? I’m not saying don’t let them have fun. What I’m saying is just take a few minutes to sneak in some learning while you’re at the zoo.
Studies show that the more we stimulate our children’s brains, the more likely they are to grow up and be smarter. The smarter your child is, studies also show that he is more likely to succeed in life. And who doesn’t want a smarter and more successful child? That is why so many parents are taking their children to tutoring centers. Those are great, but why not top it off with some learning fun by taking your child to the zoo?
Did you know that children can learn empathy from animals? Empathy is an important skill to have and is not taught in school (as part of the curriculum anyway). Empathy is learning to put yourself in another’s place to understand what they are experiencing. If you’re familiar with emotional intelligence (EQ), empathy is at the top of the list. Many experts say that EQ is much more important than IQ.
If you have pets at home, children usually learn from an early age not to pull the dog’s tail or the cat’s ears. They can also learn it by watching zoo animals. The next time you’re at the zoo, take a minute to discuss what that animal might be feeling. See if the animal looks at you. They are conscious beings just like us even though they cannot speak or tell us how they feel. If you’ve ever seen those SPCA commercials on TV, you know what I mean by looking into the sad eyes of those animals.
Seeing animals at the zoo can also help children overcome any fears they may have about animals. At the zoo, children are safely protected from the animal so that they cannot get too close. This can help reduce your anxiety for the animal. If your child is comfortable, take him to the petting zoo (which is usually part of the larger zoos) so he can experience firsthand what it feels like to pet the animals. Or go to an aquarium where they have touch tanks so your child can touch the animals too.
The next time you go to the zoo, be sure to remember these simple points so you can discuss them with your child. Learning can be fun, it doesn’t have to take place in a crowded classroom or take an hour!