This post is going to take us on a detour from our regular programming. Instead of only talking about dog training, dog bite prevention, and family-dog dynamics, the focus of this article is on how dogs can be used as a topic to inspire kids to learn. As any parent or educator can tell you, kids are much more eager to learn when they love the subject. Since we are all dog lovers here, let’s talk about how dog-themed learning activities can encourage kids to flex their brains.
Modes of Learning
Learning can take all forms. Sometimes, stealth learning is some of the best kind. This can involve simple activities, such as doing a scavenger hunt when you are taking a walk with the kids. In this learning bundle, I have included a Rainbow Dog Scavenger Hunt, in which kids try to find dogs of different colors. Instead of encouraging the children to interact with the dogs, which might not be safe, it instead encourages them to ask their owners what the dog’s name is. Then, write it down in one of the blank spaces on the printed form. It’s fun to see the names of different dogs and to look for fun patterns. Did you see more than one dog with the same name? Were they the same type of dog? How many people give their dogs people names?
The scavenger hunt encourages your child to communicate with you – not just improving their vocabularies, but also discussing patterns and numbers. Since dogs make everything more interesting to certain kiddos, this bundle also includes 3 additional activities that encourage kids to practice their quantitative skills.
Quantitative & Language Skills
Learning letters and numbers takes lots of practice! Our letter recognition activity and simple word puzzle will get youngsters excited to learn.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
In addition to being a mom, my life before dog training included spending 16 years as a teacher. 8 of those were as a high school biology and environmental studies teacher, and the other 8 were more unconventional (which should come as no surprise.) I founded and ran a cooking school for children, ages 2-18. Yep. A cooking school. One of the biggest takeaways from that experience was how the kitchen was one of the best places for children to learn. Not only could they learn about where their food comes from, but they could be scientists, linguists and mathematicians. This dog themed learning bundle includes two kitchen activities, one of which totally rocks when you use these silicone baking sheets.
How Cooking Helps Kids to Learn
Language Acquisition:
- Recipes encourage kids to practice symbol recognition, language patterns, and sequences.
- Children are exposed to new vocabulary, ranging from kitchen tools and ingredients to cooking strategies and methods.
- Recipes help kids pay attention to directions – in both oral and written form.
Math:
- In the kitchen, kids get the opportunity to classify, measure, count, estimate, and recognize numbers and fractions in a practical and “real-life” setting…with an edible outcome!
Science:
- The kitchen is the ideal laboratory! Kids can ask questions, observe, investigate and experiment.
- Cooking allows students the opportunity to predict and compare outcomes.
- Students can explore how ingredients and mixtures change: mixing, blending, freezing, melting, boiling, baking, shredding, etc…
Get the Bundle
If your kiddo is a dog lover, this educational bundle is for you. Ideal for children from Pre-K through Grade 1, this bundle includes activities that boost math, literacy and cooking skills – perfect for native English speakers and English language learners alike. Not only do these dog activities help children practice their numbers, letters, communication and sequencing skills, but they help to reinforce their love of dogs. Designed by a 16-year veteran teacher and certified dog trainer, this dog activity bundle is both fun and educational. This bundle includes:
- 1 Scavenger Hunt
- 3 Math activities
- 2 Literacy activities
- 2 Cooking activities
This post contains an affiliate link. If you use it to purchase the silicone baking tray, I’ll earn a few pennies, at no extra cost to you.
