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There are a number of reasons why children love learning about animals. To start with, they hold a fascination simply because they are other living creatures. In that way they are obviously like us in some ways - and yet so very different to us. There is also such a wonderful variety of them - and they are so diverse in size, features, behaviour, sounds they make and habitat.

Animals make up such a significant percentage of creation and they are all around us. No wonder they inspire such curiosity and intense interest in children, who are so new to this world and have so much to discover. They have not yet become blase about the truly inspiring and awesome things of nature. There is so much to find out about these wondrous creatures the world is so full of - and so they seek all the information they can - from looking, listening and touching in particular. They imitate them. They gaze wonderingly at pictures of them. They are besotted with cuddly toys that represent them. They love being read stories about them and squeal with delight when they see them on TV.

Many of the animals children are attracted to from the time they are babies are little, cute, soft and fluffy ones - like puppies, kittens, bunnies and lambs. It's hardly surprising that they are attracted to such adorable little critters.

Children also show a lot of interest in farm animals from a very early age. This is partly because they are very familiar with them from books and TV programs - and many kids see them in their natural environment too. They can relate to the fact that the cows that moo make the milk they drink and we get wool for our clothes from the fleecy backs of sheep. Of course nursery rhymes such as "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and "Old McDonald Had a Farm" increase their interest in such animals.

These days there are a lot of patting zoos, where children can interact with very tame versions of farm animals too. Here in the national capital of Australia there are numerous community events throughout the year, where children have this opportunity. Often they are taken to school fetes as well as to play schools, etc.

Both our children have always loved being able to touch farm animals and hold them. This was absolutely wonderful therapy for our little profoundly disabled daughter, whose face shone with pleasure when she was able to have gentle little critters sit placidly on her lap. What could be more restful or produce a more warm, fuzzy feeling? Children are very tactile and they have

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