Lead the children in a discussion of things animals need. Children with pets at home should be able to list the essentials, including food, shelter and water. Make a list on large paper or a dry erase board. Help children come up with ideas by showing pictures of various pets.
Explain to children that animals have the feelings just as human beings do. Pets feel pain, fear and anger although they show these feelings differently from us. Give a few brief examples of how pets respond to various feelings.
Invite children to describe times when they got hurt or felt scared. Children love to share these personal stories and, by the time they are five or six, they will be able to connect these stories to the feelings of animals.
Help children to brainstorm some reasons that people might hurt animals. Children may offer reasons, such as being afraid, being angry or not knowing any better. Keep bringing the discussion back to the idea that it is never acceptable to injure an animal, no matter how a person feels.
Avoid describing specific types or examples of cruelty. While these images and stories can be effective in some cases with teens and adults, they can be disturbing for young children.
End the presentation by giving the group tips about how they can prevent animal cruelty or help if they see a problem. For children this age, the first step is always to ask a parent or trusted adult if they have a question or see a problem.
Give the children something small, such as a sticker or a bookmark from a local animal rescue organization, to take home. This will help them remember the presentation and help them describe what they learned when they get home.