Why farm animals?

[Ravin]

My DD's early development specialist (she's in Early Intervention) wants me to work on animal identification and sounds.

Why animals? The main ones in addition to common pets are farm animals. But outside the zoo, the only animals my urban-dwelling toddler actually has in her environment are the dogs, cats, and pidgeons she sees around the neighborhood, and the occasional butterfly, cricket, or cockroach.

So why the heck does our culture still value such early identification of animals? It becomes an exercise in symbol recognition with no actual reference animals on which to hang her sense of what the animal is.

So what's the point of them knowing animals at two?

[Jen123]

Silly isn't it ?

I remember seeing a cow for the very first time and saying "mama! Ugee horsee"

I'd be more impressed (if that's really the Early Development Specialists goal) if she could name things around her she sees all the time.

I also think it's just part of growing a child's vocabulary BUT if those things aren't in her enviroment it's more of a rote memory skill than actual learning about an animal.

Sounds like her EDS is focused on early academic learning is better.

[fromscatteredtribe]

jodi--

we just visited the farm through which we do the CSA and we had a blast. hens and turkeys and a pig running around. horses to pet, goats, smelling the plants and touching the leaves, watching the peacocks, picking eggs off the ground.....you should come with us next time. I am sure she would have a lot of fun

[UlrikeDG]

I think it's because kids like animals. Some adults do, too.

Seriously, though, even city kids get excited about seeing horses when they drive past some grazing in a field next to the interstate. And, many zoos do have "farm" animals in the petting zoo section.

[USAmma]

Children are naturally attracted to animals. Doesn't need to be farm animals. Animals are much more interesting than blocks or shapes or common household implements. If it gets the child's interest then learning occurs.