Kindness is stronger than iron bars.’ This deeply moving and impactful quote seems like a far-fetched reality sometimes, especially if we consider the cut-throat, fast-paced, and nonchalant world. The virtue of kindness becomes all the more relevant and pressing when we bring children and animals into the picture. Children are a blank slate; they are like a pool of crystal clear water, reflecting and embodying their surroundings. So, as adults and grown-ups, it is our responsibility to imbibe kindness into children and make them compassionate towards animals.
Quite understandably, teaching kids to respect animals is essential for their growth and understanding of the world. It is, in fact, one of the most powerful ways to foster empathy, responsibility, and emotional intelligence among kids. So, whether it is a family pet, a stray animal, or a bird in the backyard, your child’s early encounters with animals can lay the foundation for a lifetime of compassion and respect.
Why Kindness Towards Animals Matters?
Children’s relationship with animals is quite unique and fascinating. Kids are naturally curious about and drawn to animals. This is because of several reasons, such as their interactions with storybooks and cartoons with animals as protagonists. In such media pieces, animals are usually portrayed as wise companions, loyal friends, etc. Such representation often piques the interest of children, drawing them closer to our four-legged friends.
Hence, from a very tender age, parents and educators get ample opportunity to foster kindness towards animals, and thereby, empathy in general. When children learn to treat animals with compassion, they also learn to value life, cater and gauge the needs and feelings of others, and to take responsibility for their actions. An array of child development experts suggests that these experiences directly support the emotional growth of children and reduce aggressive behaviour. So, long story short, when a child is kind towards animals, it not only merits the animal but also makes the child a better human being.
How To Teach Kindness Towards Animals: Every Little Step Counts
To imbibe kindness and compassion in your child, you do not have to dabble in grand gestures. Truth be told, kindness is not taught in a single lesson; it is nurtured through consistent, everyday behaviours.
1. Lead By Example
Children learn by example. When they see you (the parent or the educator) treating animals with patience, kindness, and care, they are much more likely to emulate these behaviours. Furthermore, mere words are not enough. As a parent, you already know that your kids pay closer attention to your actions than your words. You can tell them to do one thing, but if you actually do the opposite, the latter is what they will remember.
So, you must model kindness. And, simple steps like feeding your pets timely, speaking kindly, being gentle during playtime, or even helping a stray cat, etc, can go a long way. Likewise, you can also demonstrate to your child how to approach animals like dogs and pets, and how to be gentle with them.
2. Imbibe Compassion
You should teach your little ones about compassion from a very tender age. One way to go about it is by instilling respect towards all living beings and by communicating that every creature feels pain in the same way as we do. For instance, when you and your child find a bug inside your home, rather than squashing it away, you can model compassing by stating that insects also deserve respect and they also have the right to live on this planet, just like us. Hence, you can opt for more benign ways to get the bug outdoors, such as by using insect rescue kits, nets, etc.
Similarly, you can also teach your child compassion via words. For starters, you can avoid using ‘speciesist’ language and show your child that animals are not objects. For instance, when referring to any animal, never call them ‘it.’ Instead, you can use ‘he,’ ‘she,’ etc. You can also read out kid-friendly books to your child to instil compassion.
3. Teach Animal Body Language
Thirdly, you can also teach your children how to approach animals more mindfully. Quite obviously, kids may not realise that animals communicate differently from humans. So, you should teach them how to read basic cues like a dog’s wagging tail, a cat’s flattened ears, or a turtle’s retreating into its shell, etc. Understanding when an animal is scared, tired, or playful can help your child interact with them safely and respectfully.
4. Encourage Curiosity and Foster Observation
You can also try spending time outdoors with your children, observing wildlife. For instance, you can watch birds at a feeder, follow ant trails, or look for frogs at a pond. Then, you can encourage your child to observe and ask questions, like why the bird puffs its feathers, why dogs sniff everything, etc. Such conversations help build empathy by focusing on the animal’s point of view.
Compassion at Home
Pets are often a child’s first real opportunity to develop a bond with an animal. When treated with love and respect, pets become trusted companions who teach kids about responsibility, empathy, and unconditional love. So, having a loving pet at home can be a great way to foster compassion and kindness among your children intrinsically and materially.
But, you must make sure children understand that pets aren’t toys. Teach them how to properly handle and interact with animals and explain that pets, like people, have moods and preferences. You can also establish routines for feeding, grooming, and playtime, and include your children in these responsibilities.
It is also important to model difficult decisions, such as taking a pet to the vet or saying goodbye when an animal dies. These experiences, while painful, offer profound lessons about compassion, commitment, and grief.
Kindness Beyond The Home: Things You Can Do As A Parent
Even if your family does not have pets, there are a lot of ways to practice kindness toward animals.
1. Helping with Pet Care through Volunteering
You can make a mile of a difference by encouraging your child to get involved in caring for abandoned or injured animals by volunteering. Teach them about the importance of animal welfare and help them understand the impact of abuse. It’s also beneficial for children to take responsibility for their pets or occasionally help out by pet-sitting for neighbours. Guide them in recognising their pet’s basic needs, noticing how these needs compare to human ones, and observing how animals express emotions in their own way.
2. Exploring Wildlife Centres and Zoos
Trips to zoos or wildlife sanctuaries provide excellent opportunities for kids to learn about animals firsthand. Nature hikes are another great way for children to spot birds and animals in their natural surroundings. Witnessing wildlife in their habitats helps kids appreciate the importance of conservation. Observing animals respectfully, from a safe distance, teaches children to value their space and treat them with kindness.
3. Encourage Participation in School Clubs and Activities
Yes, undoubtedly, a deep love for animals often starts at home, schools also play a key role in nurturing and reinforcing that attitude. You should encourage your child to partake in activities that spark curiosity and raise awareness about animal rights. A Nature Club, for instance, can host engaging discussions, debates, and projects focused on animal welfare and environmental respect, encouraging students to develop a deeper connection with and responsibility toward animals.
Imbibe Compassion In Your Children With The Holistic Education of Sanskriti – The School
Besides the home, a school is the only haven where a child can learn empathy, kindness, and compassion. Hence, opting for the right institution that fosters care and respect is crucial. At Sanskriti The School, we foster an environment of warmth and empathy by leading by example. Our teachers embody kindness like a badge of honour, and ensure that every child adheres to these ideals. We do so via various engagement activities and holistic learning methods. So, give the gift of kindness to your child and get in touch with the team of Sanskriti The School today.
