5 top tips on introducing your child to animals
Mollie
CBeebies Grown-ups
Adam Tjolle is a Senior Vet at a veterinary hospital in Scotland - we asked him for some tips on introducing your child to animals, and how to make sure that the experience is non-scary for both parties!
As well as being a vet, I'm also a dad with two children now aged 7 and 11 who are very used to me bringing home lots of different animals! Having pets and interacting with animals is fab for children; they can be your best pals as well as teaching you so many things about life - responsibility, social interaction and caring for others.
To help children get the most out of being with animals and enjoying them safely, my top tips are:
- Always ask the owner or responsible person first - they will know the animal best, and can tell you whether they're appropriate for your child to meet or handle.
- Encourage your child to be very gentle - remember that the animal will almost certainly be scared of new things, so approach very carefully.
- Always try to reassure the animal by talking to them. Look at them and respond to their behaviour.
- Make sure there's always an adult around when children are spending time with an animal - even the friendliest pet can have unpredictable moments.
- Wash your hands and if possible change your clothes afterwards, as even pets do have diseases that we can catch.
We're surrounded by animals every day - understanding them and learning to communicate with them helps children understand more about themselves and their environment, as well as being great fun!
