empathy

Empathy for Animals Focus of Remote Learning

Sacramento, CA (July 28, 2020) — As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and conversations of “going back to school” raise uncertainty, RedRover urges elementary teachers and parents alike to utilize their free at-home learning resources. The RedRover Readers program assembled this list for parents looking for engaging, at-home activities to do with their children, as well as educators who are recommending resources to their remote students.

RedRover President and CEO, Nicole Forsyth states, “In these challenging times, RedRover is proud to offer an array of free learning resources to help children develop a deeper understanding and empathy for animals. We offer a free issue of Kind News magazine, a virtual reading series of books from our RedRover Readers curriculum, The Restricted Adventures of Raja app and game series, fun activities and so much more. We hope that parents and educators integrate these tools and activities into the new learning ‘normal,’ whatever that may look like this fall.”

Resources:

• NEW: Download the May/June 2020 issue of Kind News magazine for free!
• Sign up for RedRover’s Virtual Reading Series for kids to participate in the RedRover Readers program virtually by requesting a reading for your class, camp, or club.
• Listen to and view a reading from the RedRover Readers program book Buddy Unchained.
• Read and play the built-in games on The Restricted Adventures of Raja empathy app! The three apps are a graphic novel series that can help kids learn empathy. Book 1 and Book 2 are free to download and come with a teaching guide.
• Watch the RedRover Reporters YouTube channel for fun videos about animals, made by kids.
• Use the Guide to Reading to Build Empathy to help guide discussions while reading at home.
• Check out RedRover’s animal-themed Coloring Pages & Activities.
• Use animal-themed lesson plans to teach important topics like perspective-taking and understanding animal behavior.
• Read a book from RedRover’s Recommended Books with Humane Themes book list.
• Visit RedRover’s page “Ways Kids Can Get Involved with Animals” and encourage kids to join RedRover’s Junior Advisory Board to help create a kinder world for animals.
• Make these fun crafts together:
  • Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder Craft
  • DIY Hide-a-Treat Cat Toy
  • Bunny toys made from toilet paper rolls:
    • How to Make a Bunny Toy (Part 1)
    • How to Make a Bunny Toy (Part 2)
    • Bunny Reacts to Homemade Toys!
  • Learn additional creative ways for kids to engage with humane themes at home:
    • Teach your dog tricks! How to Teach Your Dog How to Sit! YouTube video
    • Write a poem about your pet such as this poem about hens dust bathing
    • Think of a song about animals you can sing while washing your hands for 20 seconds!

RedRover offers these resources and more to help kids develop empathy skills and strengthen the human-animal bond in future generations.

Learn more about RedRover Readers at redrover.org/readers and Kind News magazine at kindnews.org.

Sheri Madsen
916.600.8157 cell
smadsen@redrover.org