Then allow the children time and space to explore the concepts introduced by setting up child led
activities such as:
• Establish a veterinary clinic as a role-play area. Include some toy animals, toy syringes,
stethoscope, bandages, empty bottles and packets for veterinary medicines, an area for
keeping animals that need to stay in, a waiting area, etc. Stress that the medicines given
to animals are special and animals should never be given medicine that is meant for
humans.
• One of the toy pets can be taken home overnight by the children in turn. Each child can
ask an adult at home to help them to record what jobs they did to care for the pet during
its time with them.
I truly believe that having a pet, or at least understanding about pets, is an invaluable experience
which children will learn so much from. I was always surrounded by animals as a child and learnt
from a very young age to handle animals with care to prevent myself or them getting hurt and it is
something that has remained with me as an adult; a deep love, compassion and respect for
animals.