Animals

Young children love to explore all types of living things. Animals are especially exciting because of the ways they move, communicate and interact. And of course, people are also members of the animal kingdom. That means children can investigate themselves as they explore animals! The types of wild animals you and your two-year-old observe will depend partly on your geographical location and whether you live in a rural, suburban or urban area, but animals are everywhere! What deer, squirrels, birds, turtles, frogs, fish or small critters — such as worms, snails, spiders and insects — will you find in your corner of the world? As you and your child explore animals outdoors, you will observe them interacting with the environment as they move about, look for food and make shelters. You may also investigate pets or farm animals. These early explorations lay the foundation for your child’s understanding of animals — including people — as living things with characteristics, needs and an environment that meets their needs. Two year-olds know that there are many different kinds of animals and are learning their names and the sounds they make. Depending on their experience, they may know that pets need food and water. They are also beginning to realize that they themselves have needs. They are curious about animals’ bodies — including their own — and learning the names for different body parts. Young children are very sensitive to how their parents and other role models respond to animals. If your child observes that you are scared of dogs or disgusted by worms, for example, they are likely to respond the same way. Of course, you will want to teach your two-year-old to be safe around wild and unfamiliar animals, but most of the animals your child will investigate — with the exception of biting dogs and stinging insects — pose no threat. You are the best person to help your child become a self-confident and safety-conscious animal explorer.