Have you recently found that your kid just won’t stop talking about sharks? All they want to do is watch shark movies, read shark books, draw sharks, etc. Believe it or not, this is actually a pretty common interest among kids. While you may be sick of the shark facts, its not a bad thing and your child’s fascination can be really good for them. Diving deeper into their love for sharks can encourage creativity, learning, and confidence. Lets explore how we can develop their shark obsession into meaningful and educational experiences.
Why Do Kids Get Obsessed with Sharks?
Children will often find that they feel personally connected to a specific animal. Kids may like sharks specifically for a few reasons. Sharks are typically considered to be dangerous or scary, your kid might thank that’s cool! It’s hard for us humans to imagine life in an underwater world, adding an aspect of mystery and fear. These emotions spark curiosity and awe in some people. You child may have learned this from seeing sharks depicted in movies, books, or photos. Sharks are commonly talked about so they’re everywhere.
Remember that your child taking a special interest in an animal (in this instance sharks), is healthy and a very important part of the developmental phase they’re in currently. Odds are you as a parent probably don’t share the same passion for sharks that your little one has, but this shouldn’t hold you back from being as supportive as possible.
Tips:
- Ask your child why they like sharks and what they like about them
- Remember to be supportive and constructive
- Try to understand this is very common
1. Encourage Educational Exploration
An obsession is a perfect opportunity for learning! There are many ways you can make this into an educational experience. Some options may include:
Visiting an aquarium
There could be nothing better for your child to see a real living shark with their own eyes! Here are some places in south Florida with sharks.
Read shark books
There are hundreds of books written about sharks and one for any age group! Find some age appropriate shark books. Books can be a great resource for information and brilliant illustrations. Here are some options:
Watch documentaries
Find ocean documentaries that highlight or feature sharks! These are some documentaries that your child might like:
2. Encourage Creative Play
Children, especially younger ones, often use imaginative play to express themselves. Play can be many different things, depending on what your child gravitates toward. Some prefer creating their own world with toys while others like storytelling. Some children would rather create with their hands while others more enjoy creating with their imagination. In all of these types of play, there are ways to incorporate sharks. You can try:
- Shark-themed toys: Plush toys, puzzles, figurines
- Crafts and coloring: Origami, fin hats, underwater dioramas, painting
- Storytelling and writing: Write shark stories or comic books.
3. Discuss Shark Conservation
As your child learns more about sharks, they will also learn about what roles sharks play in the environment. It is important to introduce them to real-world issues surrounding marine life, sharks, and the environment. This gives them a better perspective on the Earth and how things work in our environment.
- Talk about endangered species: This helps them to understand why some shark species are threatened and what humans can do about it.
- Support shark charities: Consider adopting a shark through marine conservation organizations or donating money to shark friendly foundations.
- Eco-friendly practices: Teach kids how things like plastic pollution impact our world. This gives them a better understanding of how oceans and sea life that they love are impacted.
4. Don’t Worry About the Obsession
It’s totally normal for kids to obsess over an animal. In most circumstances you really shouldn’t need to worry! It is important to encourage kids to be passionate about things. If we don’t do this then it teaches kids that they shouldn’t share their interests with others and that they are not important. When kids feel that their interests are validated it makes them more confident. This can have a lifelong positive effect on them. Confident kids have the strength to problem solve and think critically. A simple shark obsession could open the door to a lifelong learning adventure.
Final Thoughts
Your child’s intense love for sharks may be a blessing in disguise. Use this obsession as a tool. You can educate you child and yourself about a new animal and the natural world around you. Don’t forget to be supportive and remember that even though you may not care for sharks as much as your little one, it doesn’t make their love for them any smaller!
