They’ll see the beauty and wonder of the natural world, and understand how all.

Whether it’s a family pet, a visit to a local animal shelter, or observing wildlife in nature, these experiences can leave a lasting impact on children.

Raising your child to be an animal lover is about more than teaching compassion towards our furry friends.

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Through guidance, children can develop the steps necessary for empathy:

Empathy leads to stronger relationships with people and animals, and helps prevent animal cruelty and neglect, as well as bullying in schools.

By teaching kids about the critical role animals play in our ecosystem, they’ll appreciate the need to protect biodiversity and understand how humans impact the environment.

There are many ways to incorporate animals into your child’s life.

You don’t necessarily need to have a couple of family dogs or a beloved cat in order for your child to feel positively toward animals.

Whether the pet in question is a hermit crab or a saint bernard, or anything in between, caring for creatures has a magical impact.

Help with pet chores.

Bringing a child to a wild place, a wooded park or even just a schoolyard, where there are opportunities to encourage wildlife sightings or other kinds of connections, can help children develop that innate love for animals.

Recognize human and animal emotions, share emotions, and regulate emotions.

Here are a few ideas to keep in mind as your child’s attitude toward animals evolves.

Interacting with animals can teach children about responsibility, respect, and empathy.

Early care and education professionals have great opportunities to use nature as a setting to learn more about animals, foster curiosity, and nurture children’s innate feelings of love and concern for wild creatures.

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Encourage your child to help meet the needs of their own pet, or get to know your neighbor's creatures by offering to pet sit from time to time.