Every
moment can be a teachable moment. Even a simple trip to the veterinarian’s
office can become a teaching moment. It doesn’t matter if you are a teacher or
a parent, you can use a visit to the local vet as a way to teach your children simple,
valuable, and educational lessons.
Responsibility
A
trip to the veterinarian is a great time to teach your kids about being
responsible. Pets take a lot of responsibility. They need to be feed. They need
water. They need adequate shelter. Plus, as a pet owner, you need to make sure
that your pet is well-cared for. It should be explained that once pets are sick
that they need to be taken to the vet for treatment.
Life
cycles
All
things go through a life cycle. Pets are no exception. While you are visiting
the veterinarian, you can talk to your child about the different stages of
life. You can begin by discussing the stage of life that your pet is in. From
there, you can begin discussing the other stages of life of your pet.
You
don’t have to stop there. You can also begin to discuss the lifecycle of the
other animals.
Germs and Parasites
Germs
are everywhere. They are a part of an everyday life. And, your children should
know they exist. Since Covid-19 came onto the scene, children are more aware of
the dangers of virus. However, take the opportunity to discuss their existence
along with parasites. Explain how both
can contribute to sickness and disease. You can take a book about bacteria, viruses,
and parasites along with you to help you explain.
Writing
Activities
Writing
is always a great way to get students to better understand a topic. After
your trip to the veterinarian’s office, you can have your child, or your
students do some writing. Your child can write an expository essay explaining
the importance of pet care. Your child can also explain proper pet care. Your
child can also compose a narrative about taking his/her pet to the vet.
A
trip to the vet can be a great opportunity to teach your child something new or
reinforce older skills.
