According to the National PTA Congress, children trained to extend kindness, justice and mercy to animals become more just, kind and considerate in their relations to others. Here are some ways you can teach your children to be kind and sensitive to animals which, I believe, will help to enhance their moral and ethical development. Children have a natural affinity for animals, and teaching kindness to them is an extremely effective way to promote character development. Participating in these various activities with your children will also bring your family together in a very meaningful and positive way.

The best way to teach your children the importance of being kind to animals is simply by example. Being a great role model for your children is of paramount importance. You can begin by teaching them that the dog or cat is an important member of the family and by showing them how to properly interact with their companion animal. Show them how to feed, walk and play with your dog or cat. Involve your children in your dog's housetraining or obedience classes. Make sure they learn that it is never acceptable to taunt or tease an animal. If the situation arises, allow your children to observe you helping an injured animal, such as a bird caught in fishing gear or an animal hit by a car.

Giving to others through volunteer work can easily include animals and the environment. For example, you might want to have your children collect food or blankets and deliver them to an animal shelter or consider involving the whole family in a beach clean-up activity. An older child can help out at a local shelter by walking the dogs or taking care of the cats. When you decide to adopt a cat or dog, make sure your children are aware that adopting an animal is a lifetime commitment, which will involve lots of time and energy. Consider saving an animal by adopting from a shelter and make sure your companion animal is spayed or neutered.

All of these activities will teach your children the meaning of being responsible. They need to be made aware that all animals have feelings such as pain, fear, anxiety, loneliness and joy. This helps them to develop their ability to empathize, which is one of the most important character traits they can learn. Be sure to make your children aware that cruelty to animals is completely unacceptable under any circumstances and that it should be taken very seriously. Encourage them to share with you any information they have regarding the mistreatment of an animal so that you can, in turn, report it to the proper authorities. Help them to learn how to respect wild animals and their habitats. For example, teach them that it is important not to disturb baby birds or chase ducks or squirrels. Make sure they do not litter the neighborhood with items that could be lethal to wild animals such as plastic wrappers or fishing line. Never allow them to hunt and kill innocent, helpless animals. This desensitizes them to the needs and feelings of other sentient beings and can cut them off from their own feelings. Many children have been reported to have been severely traumatized when forced to observe or participate in the shooting of an animal. Try not to patronize places where animal cruelty is a way of life and exploitation of animals is prevalent such as rodeos, circuses and marine parks. Let your children know that many animals, such as elephants, primates and whales, are highly complex social beings who have a right to live in their own natural habitats. This teaches them how to respect others, whether they are human or non-human.

Read animal-friendly books to your children such as Charlotte's Web, Black Beauty or The Shiloh Trilogy and take them to animal-friendly movies such as My Dog Skip, Babe or Free Willy. And consider a vegetarian diet for your children. It will not only save millions of factory-farm animals from a lifetime of abuse, it is also much healthier for your children.

Teaching your children kindness to animals also gives them the opportunity to experience the incredible, unconditional love that only an animal is capable of giving. Animals are non-judgmental, loyal and patient. So, while you are teaching your children how to be kind to animals, the animals are also teaching your children many important lessons. Animals are great listeners and never give away secrets. They are often sensitive to your moods and provide solace and support in times of crisis. They are always there for you. Your children's emotional life will be enriched, and their moral and ethical development will be greatly enhanced through their positive interactions with animals. Although teaching academics will educate your children's minds, teaching kindness to animals will educate their hearts.

-Judith Fish is a free-lance writer and animal advocate. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She is employed as a School Social Worker for the Broward County (Fla.) Schools and is a member of the Broward School's Character Education Committee.