Children develop their own hobbies and interests as they grow older, and one fairly common interest for kids is the fascinating world of dinosaurs. An interest in dinosaurs may lead to an interest in the natural world, so it’s not a bad idea to help nurture this love. Here are some ways you can encourage a child who loves dinosaurs and facilitate their interest in a way that sparks their desire to learn.
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Your Local Library
One of the best places to start exploring an interest in dinosaurs is at your local library. Libraries contain many books on the subject, ranging from educational works to books created for younger audiences. Teaching your children how to find dinosaur books and allowing them to pick and choose what sparks their interest is a fantastic way to support their growing minds.
Right now, my 4-year-old loves Jane Yolen’s dinosaur books, which have fantastic pictures of realistic dinos and awesome life lessons. For example, kids learn about How Do Dinosaurs Show Good Manners? and How Do Dinosaurs Say I’M MAD? These books are a great way to pair your child’s interest in dinosaurs (each dino’s name is provided in the pictures) with other things he or she needs to learn, such as emotional regulation and being polite.
Other kids may prefer nonfiction books about dinosaurs, such as Dinosaurs! Battle of the Bones or Dinosaur!: Over 60 Prehistoric Creatures as You’ve Never Seen Them Before. My son loves looking at the pictures in books like these, even if he doesn’t yet read (or understand) all the descriptions of the dinosaurs. I’ve often been amazed at the dinosaur names he knows, because he’ll correct me if I call a dino by the wrong name accidentally!
Many libraries also have DVDs to rent if you want to look for any documentaries or educational films to watch at home.
Toys and Games
One way you can encourage a child who loves dinosaurs is by listening to what some of their favorite dinosaurs are and engaging their interests. A child’s favorite dino might change on a weekly basis, but that means each week presents a new opportunity to share in their happiness!
Many great dinosaur figurines also allow your child to use imagination and create scenarios with their favorite dinosaurs. Playing games with dinosaur figurines and exploring a more kinetic side of their hobby keeps things engaging and fun. My son likes creating playscapes and backgrounds for his dino figurines with clay or playdough.
A Trip to the Museum
Museums are some of the best places to explore an interest in any hobby. Dinosaur museum exhibits typically let your children see exciting relics, educational presentations, and hands-on displays to nurture any learning style. A trip to the museum encourages your child to learn new things about the topic and creates a fun afternoon for the family.
The Royal Tyrell Museum in Alberta is worth the trip for any dinosaur-loving kids as it’s focused on dinosaurs. This museum has some amazingly detailed, kid-friendly exhibits that are sure to delight the whole family (and not just the dino-lovers).
Another option is to watch for traveling dino exhibits, such as Jurassic Quest. This touring show features world-famous, life-size dinosaurs that are meticulously painted and animated to be realer-than-real. Your dino-loving child will be over-the-top excited about seeing his favourite dinos come alive!
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