Doctor, Please Help! My Pet Is Sick!

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	Advanced
	Age: 4-7
	20-30 min
	Children learn to recognize emotions, understand others’ feelings, see things from different perspectives, and practice offering support.
	Flexibility Collaboration Communication Empathy
	Cognitive task Conversation
	Stuffed or plastic animals Stethoscope Thermometer Bandages and plasters Medicine bottles Ointment or cream Cotton balls Plastic syringe or medicine dropper Popsicle sticks or tongue depressor Animal body part posters X-ray pictures Idea for additional materials: picture books about veterinarians and sick animals

Preparation

Prepare signs and posters: ANIMAL CLINIC, PRICES, ANIMAL FEELINGS, OWNER FEELINGS, PAIN SCALE, WHEN A PET IS SICK OR INJURED, WHEN AN ANIMAL ISN'T FEELING WELL...
Prepare a space in the room where you can organize a vet centre
Prepare animals, materials, and props for the game

Implementation

Begin by talking with the children about their pets.

Ask:

Do you have a pet at home?
Has your pet ever been sick or hurt?
Did you visit a vet?
How do pets behave when they don’t feel well?
What can help them feel better?
What did the vet do to help?

Encourage the children to share their experiences and feelings about caring for animals.

Setting up the veterinary play centre

Together with the children, create a veterinary clinic in the playroom. Arrange furniture, materials, resources, and posters for the game.

Agree on simple rules: how many children can play in the centre at one time, how to organise the space, and where to put the toys and materials after play.

Role play - At the vet

Invite the children to organize their play and choose roles: veterinarian, animal owner, or animal.

Encourage turn-taking so everyone can try different roles.

Stay nearby to observe and offer gentle guidance if misunderstandings occur.

Join the play occasionally - e.g., by acting as a pet or an owner - to model empathy, communication, and care, or to include children who might need extra support.

Reflection

After the play, talk with the children about their experience:

How did you feel in your role? Which role did you like best?
Was it easy or difficult to know when your pet was not well?
How did you understand what your pet needed when it couldn’t speak?
How did you help? How did that feel?

Variations and Additional Ideas

Visit a zoo and talk with the animal caretakers about how they look after animals’ health and well-being.

Visit a veterinary centre to meet real veterinarians and learn how they help animals that are sick or injured.