PL T3.10Feeding a Classroom Animal
The child gives a classroom fish or other animal its daily food from a small cup the adult has measured, then washes their hands.
Safety
- Check state licensing rules and each family's allergy and health forms before any animal comes into the room.
- CDC advises that children under 5 do not touch reptiles, amphibians, or backyard poultry or their habitats because of Salmonella risk; these animals are not kept in a toddler room.
- Children and adults wash their hands with soap and water after feeding or touching the animal or its tank.
- Animal food is kept closed and out of children's reach, and the adult measures every feeding; tanks and equipment are never cleaned in a sink used for food or hand washing.
Presentation
- 1
Measure one feeding into the small cup away from the children. Invite one child: 'It is time to feed the fish.'
- 2
Walk to the tank together. Lift the feeding lid and hold the cup over the opening.
- 3
Tip the cup slowly so the food falls onto the water. Stay still and watch the fish come up to eat. Watching the fish eat is the point of interest.
- 4
Hand the child the cup on the next feeding day and wait while they tip it in. Close the lid together.
- 5
Walk together to the sink and wash hands. Let the child put a mark on the chart.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Take turns: a different child feeds the animal each day, shown on the chart
- Check the chart first to see if the animal has been fed today
- Fill the animal's water dish with a small pitcher, for animals that need one
- Look at a book with pictures of the same kind of animal
Control of error
The empty cup shows the food is given; the mark on the chart shows the animal has been fed today. Food left floating shows too much was given, and the adult reduces the measured amount.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Tips the cup over the opening so the food lands in the tank
- Gives only the measured cup and does not ask for more food
- Washes hands after feeding without a reminder
Guide note
Fish are the most common toddler-room animal because children feed and watch them without touching them. At home, the same routine works with a family pet: the adult measures the food, the child puts it in the bowl.