Fatıma Eslem's video: Children learn to have fun with animals

There is no doubt that most children love animals. From the earliest age learning animal names and noises are a key first language skill and many children’s toys and favourite characters are based on animals throughout childhood. There is a clear natural affinity between them. “Animals fascinate children for a range of reasons - the big heads and eyes of many animals are shown to have natural appeal and there is something captivating about how interactive and unpredictable they are.” Lion laying in the sunEducators are always looking for ways to turn natural interest into a learning opportunity and with animals, these opportunities really are endless. Animals can help children learn everything from language and numeracy (get them counting a leopard’s spots) to empathy/caring skills and even understanding the world. For example, children can learn the differences between the animals by watching how a lion might skilfully creep up on it’s prey, or a meerkat nervously flitting about while checking for predators. They can learn about living things, their habitats and basic needs inline with the UK science curriculum and broaden their understanding of the world, inspiring an interest in topics like evolution, geography and conservation. After all, realising that these animals have homes across the planet can help children understand why they need protecting.