For Everyone
For Parents
For Teachers
Activities
Animal Friends
Write a story about unlikely friends.
Materials
- Paper
- Markers
Directions
Read Owen and Mzee or Mole and the Baby Bird with your child. These are both stories about two animals that would not normally be friends but turned out to have great friendships. Talk with your child about what it means to be friends and why these animals became friends.
Then have your child make up a new story about unlikely animal friends. She can pick two animals that wouldn't usually be friends in nature, then think of a reason why they meet and get to know each other. Have her tell about why they get along, how they help each other, and what they do together. Then let her write or draw the story.
For example, pick animals that you might see around your home - in the backyard or in the park — like a fish and a squirrel. It might be hard for them to play together since squirrels don't swim and fish can't live out of the water. Maybe if the squirrel built a boat, it could visit the fish in the water. And maybe the fish could teach the squirrel how to swim. Be creative, and don't worry if it's not realistic!
Talk About It
Talk with your child about her own friends. How did she meet those friends? In school, at the park, or in a playgroup? Why is she friends with them? Because they live nearby, or because they like to do the same things? What do they do together? Do they always get along? Talk about why it's nice to have friends and what they can do for each other.
Watch Related Stories
Owen and Mzee
Mole and the Baby Bird
Related Books
Mole and the Baby Bird by Marjorie Newman
Owen and Mzee by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu
The Little Animal Encyclopedia by John Farndon and Jon Kirkwood
Age Range: 4-6
Skills/Subjects:
- Creative Expression
- Language and Literacy Development
- Problem Solving
- Science
Related Episodes:
