The feelings of becoming a parent for the first time are absolutely amazing and downright spine-chilling at the same time. The question that nags you continually is about the doubt of being ready. That’s why you wouldn’t leave any stone unturned to become better – as a parent.
When we were expecting our first child, my wife read about 15000(!) books – the range varied from ‘how to help the baby to sleep’ from how you can help them poop correctly – you get the idea. And she made me do it as well, but I dealt with the problem way better than she did. I got away with about 15 books. Every single one of the books that I read was anonymous about the importance of reading to your child. And the importance of reading to your child for the development in different stages is vividly studied, researched, and documented.
Today I will share a few things about animal books – how you can educate the children with animal books.
Unveil the World Outside:
Whether you read something from an animal book to the toddlers or the kid is reading the book on its own – the world outside is unveiled to them. The places where the animals live, the description of the forests, the pictures of the animals – everything tells them about the big, beautiful world outside. They will develop an understanding of other living beings that have their places and deserve the right to live there. Many books are rich with beautifully illustrated pictures of animals that teach them the names, shapes, sizes, etc. about different animals.
On a relevant note, you can give the children Animals Coloring Sheets to further their learning about animals. It is widely accepted that most children love color pictures. When they color those pages, they will develop a clear idea about the size, shape, build, color, the difference in body structures, etc. about animals. Another fantastic source is Water Animals Coloring Pages, which are great for coloring and can also act as a catalyst for infusing the imagination among them. These coloring pages also can be a great way to make the children calm and relaxed.
Living in a Society:
There are many fascinating children’s animal books that depict the lives of the animals living together in the animal kingdom. The books are written in such a metaphorical way that the children reading those can get the meanings of society quickly. And at the same time, they can learn the underlying mechanisms of how we live in a community and the unfortunate consequences of doing unethical deeds. Also, books can teach the kids that everyone living in a society is essential, and no one is superior or inferior. This is a great way to make children learn the importance of equality. As a result, they can learn the necessity of living together harmoniously with every single member of society from a very tender age.
Accepting the Difference among Us:
The vivid descriptions about lives that are way more different than ours are given in animal books. Children learn that there are various things to eat, different things to do, different things to get excited. Maybe they are not the things that humans do, but for children, their beloved animals make up their world, and those animals subtly educate them that there is a difference everywhere amongst us. When that acceptance sinks in, the children become respectful to other members of the family, to people, to foods, to culture – to everything beyond their known surroundings.
And when these kids become seniors, these learning will pave the future world to be respectful to others – which seems to be in short supply in today’s modern world.
Dealing with Failures & Starting Over Again:
In Aesop’s Fables, the importance of goodwill is significantly highlighted. But not only Aesop’s Fables, all the other children’s books written about animals, tell the stories about the power of hard work. These stories educate the kids that nothing comes easily, and the world is a place where honest hard work never fails. These books not only give pleasures but also educate children the morals that they otherwise wouldn’t pay heed to.
Emotional Maturity:
Sometimes in the books, children’s favorite animals die. That is as heart-breaking as it can get for the children. But it teaches an invaluable lesson as well. Children learn about death, the taste that we have to test. Some parents might argue about its relevance or if it is appropriate to mention it to the kids. But I always believe that sugarcoating never serves any good to anyone. So, children get to learn about life’s unavoidable destiny from an early age. This, I think, will profoundly affect in getting matured emotionally. Impossible as it may seem, parents are mostly to blame for their child’s becoming emotionally imbalanced. But the animal books, in an exciting and adventurous way, teach children to become mature over time.
The best animal books tell beautiful stories, which are not just fun. They educate children about perspectives, relationships, differences, etc. They let the children experience things way beyond their imagination with a pinch of difficult emotions and sometimes the gentle push of harsh realities. In essence, animal books unfold strangest and safest worlds where the children can lose themselves, and when they get to find themselves back again, they reinvent their understandings about life. The truth is animal books educate the kids the most difficult lessons. Still, these lessons are delivered as an exciting part of their favorite animal’s journey to the glory and never feel anything like education.