Activities to Help Children Remember Animal Names

Many young children are drawn to animals, but they may have a difficult time keeping their names straight. This can be upsetting and frustrating for them, but certain kid-friendly activities can help children remember them correctly. If your child isn't that interested in animal names, but you feel she should learn them, try these activities to help cement the information for your child.

  1. Books

    • Use books to help your child remember animal names. Choose books with plenty of pictures of different animals. Point to each animal and name them as you go through the book. Picture books are especially ideal for this activity because your child won't be distracted by a story and can focus more on the photos instead. Choose books with bright, realistic images of animals, which are more likely to hold her interest. Flashcards and nature magazines geared to the younger crowd also work well for this activity.

    Art Projects

    • Doing an animal art project means your child probably won't forget the name of the animal she just crafted. Use crayons or markers to draw the outline of an animal and let your child add a face, feathers, scales or fur as appropriate.

      Glue craft puffballs together to create an animal and add shaky eyes and pipe cleaners for a tail or legs to complete the animal. Craft an animal diorama using a shoe box and construction paper. Use salt dough to sculpt animals and name them as you go.

    Play Animal Games

    • Crawling around the house on all fours and making cow, horse or dog sounds is sure to leave your child entertained and delighted. Have your child choose an animal and then show her how that animal moves and what sounds it makes. Connecting an animal to its mannerisms can help her remember the animal's name. So, slither and hiss like a snake, hoot like an owl and meow like a cat for as long as she wants to play the game. Or, play a game of memory with double photocopies of several animal photos.

    Go to the Zoo or Nature Center

    • One of the best ways to help your child remember the names of animals is to get her up close and personal with them. Take a trip to the zoo, farm or a local nature center and take a look at the animals. Tell your child the name of each animal and read her as much information from the display's placard as she's willing to listen to. Seeing live animals is an effective way to help her remember what each one is called. If you don't live near a zoo or animal center, watch animal videos on television or your computer.

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