Fun at the Vet
What’s inside...
In 'Fun at the Vet,' young readers follow a group of animal friends as they support one of their own during a veterinarian appointment. Initially a nervous experience, the visit transforms into an enlightening adventure that imparts lessons on pet care, the significance of health check-ups, and how a vet visit can be positive. 'Red Squirrel Phonics' is a series of decodable readers aiming to teach children phonics in a structured manner. Through engaging stories like the Level 3 book where Mum, Sid, and Pam deal with a mischievous hen at the vet, children practice phonics skills and experience reading success from the start.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you like best about the animals' visit to the vet in the story?
How do you think the animals felt when they were at the vet? Why?
What are some ways the vet helped the animals in the book?
If you were a vet, how would you take care of the animals?
Why is it important to take our pets to the vet?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to depict different characters, which can help your child understand and differentiate emotions and perspectives.
Ask your child to guess what might happen next in the story to encourage predictive thinking.
Relate the story to any personal experiences your child might have had visiting a vet or taking care of a pet.
Discuss the importance of empathy and caring for others, drawing parallels with how characters in the book treat animals.
Encourage your child to ask questions about the story, and offer to find the answers together, fostering a sense of curiosity and learning.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy towards animals
Explanation: In 'Fun at the Vet,' children observe how the main character, Timmy, treats animals with care and concern during their visit to the vet.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to treat pets gently and understand the importance of their well-being, fostering a compassionate approach towards all animals.
Example Lesson: Understanding the role of veterinarians
Explanation: The story illustrates the various tasks that a vet performs, which helps children appreciate the profession and its contribution to animal health.
Real-World Application: This insight can inspire children to respect medical professionals and maybe even aspire to similar careers focused on caring for animals.
Example Lesson: Overcoming fear of doctors
Explanation: Timmy shows initial fear of the vet but learns that the vet is there to help, providing a positive perspective on healthcare professionals.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding to their own experiences with doctors or healthcare environments, reducing anxiety and promoting a positive attitude towards health check-ups.
Example Lesson: Learning responsibility
Explanation: Through Timmy's interaction with his pet at the vet, children learn about the responsibilities involved in taking care of another living being.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to take more responsibility for their pets or even chores around the house, demonstrating readiness to handle tasks independently.
Example Lesson: Value of asking questions
Explanation: Timmy learns more about his pet’s health by asking the vet questions, highlighting the importance of curiosity and seeking knowledge.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to ask questions in all learning environments, be it at school or home, fostering a lifelong love for learning and understanding.