Paquette's Preschool
Today's Lesson: Pets
Objectives
Children will be able to identify different ways to take care of pets
Song for the Day: "I Have a Pet"
♫ Do you have a pet?
Yes, I have a dog.
I have a pet. [Pet the back of one hand with the other.]
He is a dog. [Slap your thigh as if calling a dog.]
And he says, "Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof. Woof woof." [Bark like a dog.]
I have a cat.
I have a pet.
She is a cat. [Stroke imaginary whiskers with your thumb and index finger.]
And she says, "Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow. Meow meow." [Meow like a cat.]
I have a mouse.
I have a pet.
He is a mouse. [Use the American Sign Language sign: swipe your finger across the top of your nose.]
And he says, "Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak. Squeak squeak." [Squeak like a mouse.]
I have a bird.
I have a pet.
He is a bird. [Open and close your index finger and thumb in front of your mouth, imitating a bird's beak.]
And he says, "Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet. Tweet tweet." [Tweet like a bird.]
I have a fish.
I have a pet.
She is a fish. [Make one hand "swim" forward like a fish.]
And she says, "Glub, glub, glub, glub, glub. Glub glub." [Glub like a fish.]
Graph of Children's Pets
TODAY'S BOOK
TODAY'S PROJECT
TRY AT HOME: FRUIT TURTLES
- Apples
- Grapes
- Mini Chocolate Chips for eyes
The Benefits of Pets for Kids
The Benefits of Pets — They Teach Kids Values
With a pet in the house, even the youngest toddler can pick up a few pointers about responsibility. Of course you’ll take on most of the pet-care chores, but your tot will absorb a lot from your nurturing example, like the importance of being kind and gentle. He can even lend a tiny hand with the easier jobs, like pouring food into a dish. By pitching in, he’ll realize that pets, just like people, need food, shelter, exercise, and love, teaching him valuable lessons about empathy and compassion.
The Benefits of Pets — They Boost Self-Esteem
There’s research showing that kids with family pets have higher self-esteem. Why? Probably because they have a four-legged (or two-legged) creature to love who loves them right back, and a friend to talk to and play with when no one else is around. Later on, when your child starts school, your pet can even boost his academic skills. Studies show that reading aloud to a loyal (and nonjudgmental) companion, like a dog, can turn a reluctant reader into a self-confident one. What’s not to love about that?
The Benefits of Pets — They’re Good for Everyone’s Health
Experts say that children who grow up with pets are less likely to develop common allergies thanks to early exposure to certain bacteria. (Of course, some children are genuinely allergic to animals — so check on that before you take the plunge.) And some research shows that pet owners tend to get sick less often — in fact, a 2012 study determined that children who lived with dogs were generally healthier during their first year of life, with fewer respiratory problems and less frequent ear infections than kids without canines. Another pro to pets? Brushing, patting, or stroking a furry creature can lower stress levels — and that’s just as true for moms and dads as it is for kids.
http://www.whattoexpect.com/kids-and-pets/benefits-of-pets.aspx