Creatures vs Cartoons: Teaching Your Children about Animals

Children's culture is filled with playful animals from Scooby Doo, to Bambi to Big Bird to the stars of recent hit films such as Madagascar or Over the Hedge. And while these depictions are very entertaining to both kids and adults alike, they bear very little resemblance to reality, where animals have various temperaments. To this end, when your child is old enough, it's appropriate to teach them that not all wildlife is as depicted in entertainment.

• Take your child to the zoo. Here, they can see animals in a more realistic way even if not entirely in their natural habitat.
• Try to teach your child from a young age that some animals are not to be interacted with. Whether it is a wild raccoon in the suburbs or a skunk crossing the road, these sorts of animals can only provide danger to a little one.
• Tell your child that not all wild animals like to interact with humans. Handling a baby bird if it is on the ground can traumatize it, while many cats are very independent creatures that should not be chased. Geese can be quite aggressive, and squirrels, fearful.
• Similarly, while it is nice to try to rescue a lost or stray dog, if your little one should ever see one in the back-yard, they should go and tell an adult and not approach it. Some dogs bite and strays might be rabid.
• Try purchasing some books for them that show animals in their natural environment. This will build respect for animals and nature as they come to learn that not all creatures are found in people's homes.

By Chris Giardino