As much as it’s a time for growing and learning, childhood is also a time for joy. But the joys of playtime aren’t just reserved for human kids—animal offspring are just as likely to get into the act as well, and some of their activities are similar to our own.
Scientists believe that for certain animal species, some fun is play for the sake of play, but like humans, other forms of entertainment are preparing youngsters for adulthood. Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth. This holds true in the animal kingdom as well.“Horses are known to engage in play almost as soon as they are born. Once they can walk, they immediately start to gallop, frolic and buck, developing the motor skills they may need when they’re mature,” notes BBC Earth.
But along with motor skills, play also teaches animals essential hunting and survival skills. Natural-born predators, such as kestrels, use play to develop their hunting skills by practicing with targets that look like real prey when they’re young. In the oceans, dolphins chase underwater air rings to fine-tune their sonar (声呐) skills. And while it’s unclear why bear cubs are so playful, zoologists believe at least some of their funny behaviors have a more serious purpose that aids in their survival as adults.
One of the most important teaching aspects of play is socialization. These days, for human kids, that usually means the basics like learning to share, teamwork, and knowing boundaries. For animals, especially those that live in packs, play gives an understanding of where each animal fits into the community hierarchy (等级). In ways that are remarkably similar to the training which children of traditional tribal cultures receive, it is through the rules of play that lion cubs, kangaroo joeys, and wolf pups discover and establish the roles they’ll be expected to perform as adults.
So whether it’s chasing in the pasture or hanging from a tree, it seems that play will always be an inner and fun part of both human and animal development.
【小题1】What does BBC Earth say about horses?| A．Horses often play in different groups. |
| B．Newborn horses like to play with their parents. |
| C．Horses can gain some skills while playing. |
| D．Play is vital for baby horses’ social development. |
| A．Dolphins leap out of water. | B．Young kestrels follow their real prey. |
| C．Bear cubs play in a funny way. | D．Wolf pups stay with their human friends. |
| A．They have a strong desire to make friends. |
| B．They get socialized in a similar way. |
| C．They change their social roles through play. |
| D．They gain their social ranks through competition. |
| A．What Are the Benefits of Play? | B．Why Do Animals Play? |
| C．How Do Animals Develop Skills? | D．Why Are Humans and Animals So Similar? |
