you when you whistle.Stick insectsThey look scary – and weird – and that’s why children love them. A cool choice of pet for older children, and although their appearance belies it (monster from outer space) they really are harmless and low maintenance

Many children are naturally drawn to animals from an early age. Introducing a pet not only teaches your child about how to care for something, but also teaches him about responsibility, too.• One of the most important things to remember is that your

that to her. The more she is able to empathise with other people, the more sensitive she'll be towards them.More lifeskills...SharingGetting dressedLooking after a pet

after a petTeaching the fine art of etiquette

not to share. Teach them to respect other people’s property and that they may not always be able to have what they want.• Always give your child lots of encouragement and praise when he shares.More lifeskills: Washing handsLooking after a pet

after a pet

1 Love and lossThe day we brought our first bunnies home, the nice man in the pet shop gave us a free booklet. It listed the diseases that Flopsie and Fluffy might suffer from: myxomatosis, viral haemorrhagic disease, red urine and fly strike were

, who teaches at a private nursery, bumped into a mother pushing a pram. She looked so miserable, Tara asked her what was up. “I’m so disappointed. My child was born in September and she’ll be really old for her year,” the mother said. “I wanted her