Animal Appeal

A Kid's Best Friend by Maya Ajmera & Alex Fisher

Why are animals such a perennial favorite with young children? Could it be the way in which these furry creatures look so cute and cuddly? Or perhaps it’s the manner in which they move so freely and effortlessly. Or maybe it’s all that grunting and mooing that naturally prompt children to imitate them.

The spring theme of Our Time: Fiddle dee-dee is animals (specifically, farm animals). And as many of you know, I am a huge animal lover—a proud mother of two white furry Maltese babies: one named Ricky and the other named Lucy!

Looking back the animal lover in me began as a child when some of my best friends growing up were cats, dogs, birds and fish, particularly when my family had to move across major continents and states. So here's my theory as to why animals have such a great appeal to young children (and adults, too). Animals can teach us, humans, so much about empathy, kindness, love and respect. And children naturally gravitate toward those they can learn a great deal from!

So let's celebrate the wonder and enchantment of the animal kingdom with our toddlers and young preschoolers this spring semester! Our Time Fiddle dee-dee begins Saturday, January 27th, 2007. It's Our Time to sing together again!!!