Sheep are fascinating creatures that play a pivotal role in agriculture, providing wool, meat, and milk. Understanding their life cycle, anatomy, and types is important for children to learn about these wooly animals. With fun activities and printable materials, kids can actively engage in the learning process and have a great time doing so. In this post, we’ll explore the basics of sheep, offering insight into their life cycle, anatomy, and types. Whether your child dreams of becoming a farmer or merely has an interest in animals, this guide is the perfect way to get them excited about sheep.
About Sheep for Children
Sheep are domesticated animals that belong to the family Bovidae. They are known for their curly woolly coat and their calm temperament. Here are some interesting facts about sheep for kids to learn:
Sheep are herbivores and only eat plants like grass, alfalfa, and clover.
Sheep have been domesticated by humans for thousands of years for their wool, meat, and milk.
A female sheep is called a ewe, a male is called a ram, and baby sheep are called lambs.
Sheep can produce up to 10 pounds of wool each year, which can be shorn (cut off) by farmers and used to make clothing items like sweaters, hats, and blankets.
Sheep have four stomachs to help them break down tough plant material.
Sheep are social animals and prefer to live in groups called flocks.
Sheep can recognize the faces of up to 50 other sheep and are able to remember them for years.
Sheep communicate with each other through bleating, or by making different sounds.
Sheep can see very well in the dark and have an excellent sense of hearing.
Sheep can live up to 10-12 years in captivity.
Sheep go through a life cycle that includes several stages. Here is some information about the different stages of a sheep’s life cycle, simplified for kids.
Birth: A baby sheep is called a lamb. Lambs are born in the spring, usually between February and April. They are born with a woolly coat of fur and are able to stand and walk within minutes. They depend on their mother’s milk for nourishment.
Infancy: Lambs stay with their mother for the first few months of their life. They grow quickly and are able to eat grass and hay when they are about a month old. They will stay with their mother until they are weaned, which is usually between four and six months.
Juvenile: Once weaned, young sheep are called hoggets. They are still growing but are no longer dependent on their mother’s milk. They spend their time grazing and living in a flock with other sheep.
Prime: When sheep reach about two years of age, they are considered fully grown and are ready to breed. This stage is called their prime. Sheep can live up to 10 years or more.
Breeding: Ewes (female sheep) come into heat in the fall, and this is when they can become pregnant. Rams (male sheep) will mate with the ewes, and pregnancy will last about five months.
Lambing: The cycle begins again when the ewe gives birth to a lamb. This is a natural process that occurs every year as long as the ewe remains healthy and gets enough food and water.
A sheep’s life cycle is quite simple. They go from being a lamb to a juvenile, then to their prime and breeding stages, and finally repeat the cycle of giving birth. Sheep are an important part of agriculture and provide wool, meat, and milk for human consumption.
Sheep are herbivorous mammals that have been domesticated for thousands of years. They are known for their woolly coat, their docile nature, and their ability to thrive in a wide range of environments. Sheep have a unique anatomy that makes them well-suited for their lifestyle. Here are some key features of sheep anatomy for kids:
- Head: A sheep’s head is relatively small and has a blunt snout. Their eyes are located on the sides of their head and provide them with good peripheral vision. Sheep have excellent hearing and are able to swivel their ears to pick up sounds from all directions.
- Mouth: Sheep have a split upper lip, which allows them to selectively graze on grasses and other plants. They also have a set of sharp teeth at the front of their mouth that they use for biting off pieces of vegetation.
- Stomach: Sheep have a four-chambered stomach that helps them efficiently digest their food. Unlike humans, sheep are able to regurgitate and re-chew their food in a process called rumination. This allows them to break down tough fibers and extract more nutrients from their food.
- Wool: Sheep have a thick coat of wool that helps keep them warm in cold weather. Wool is a type of fiber that comes from the hair of sheep and is prized for its softness and warmth. Some sheep breeds are raised primarily for their wool, which can be used to make clothing, blankets, and other textiles.
- Hooves: Sheep have two-toed hooves that are adapted for walking and running on rough terrain. Their hooves are made of a dense material called keratin, which grows continuously and needs to be trimmed regularly to prevent overgrowth.
- Reproductive System: Sheep are mammals and give birth to live young. Female sheep are called ewes and males are called rams. Ewes are able to give birth to one or two lambs at a time, and they are able to produce milk to feed their young.
Sheep have a unique and specialized anatomy that helps them thrive in their environment. By understanding how their different body parts work together, we can appreciate the amazing complexity of these animals.
Sheep come in many different breeds, each with unique characteristics. Some popular breeds include the Merino, which is known for its soft wool and calm temperament, the Suffolk, which is a large and hardy breed used primarily for meat production, and the Jacob, which has distinctive multicolored markings and is often raised for both meat and wool. Other breeds of sheep include the Dorset, Lincoln, and Shetland. Some sheep are raised for both wool and meat, while others are primarily used for dairy production.
All About Sheep Hands-on Learning Activities
Sheep Shearing: Provide a small ball of wool and a pair of child-safe scissors. Encourage children to cut the wool to make it shorter and give it a “sheared sheep” look.
- Get Materials: Gather a small ball of wool and a pair of child-safe scissors. Make sure the scissors are suitable for children and do not have pointed tips.
- Introduce Sheep Shearing: Explain to the children what sheep shearing is and why it is important for the health and wellbeing of sheep. You can show them pictures or videos of real sheep shearing if available.
- Demonstration: Show the children how to hold the wool and cut it with the scissors. Start with small cuts to demonstrate the technique before moving on to longer cuts.
- Allow Them to Try: Let the children take turns cutting the wool with the scissors. Encourage them to have fun and experiment with different styles and lengths.
- Create a Sheared Sheep Look: The objective is to create a sheared sheep look. This can involve cutting the wool shorter in some areas while leaving it longer in others to create patterns or designs.
- Clean up: Once the children have finished their sheep shearing activity, make sure to clean up the wool scraps and scissors and put them away safely.
Sheep shearing is a fun, hands-on activity that can be educational for children, teaching them about the importance of animal care and management.
Wool Experiment: Have children compare and contrast wool with other materials like cotton, silk, or synthetic fabrics. Encourage tactile exploration.
- Gather Materials:
- Different types of fabrics (wool, cotton, silk, synthetic)
- Scissors
- Magnifying glass (optional)
- Sensory materials (e.g. feathers, beads, sand)
- Introduce the Experiment:
Explain to the children that they will be exploring and comparing different types of fabrics. Briefly introduce each type of fabric and explain that they will be using their sense of touch to feel the differences between them. - Tactile Exploration:
Have the children hold and feel each type of fabric. Encourage them to describe and compare what they feel: is it soft or rough? Heavy or light? Does it feel warm or cool to the touch? Use descriptive words to enhance their vocabulary and comprehension. - Compare and Contrast:
Have the children sort the fabrics into groups based on their characteristics. Ask guiding questions like “Which fabrics are soft?” or “Which fabrics are heavy?” to encourage discussion and critical thinking.
Using a Venn diagram or chart, compare and contrast the fabrics that the children have sorted. - Sensory Integration:
Add additional sensory materials to each fabric type. This could include beads, sand, feathers, or any other tactile materials. Have the children explore how the different fabrics interact with these additional materials. - Extension activities:
- Have the children create a collage or piece of art using the different fabrics
- Use the fabrics to spark story ideas or creative writing activities
- Have children design and create clothing or accessories using different fabrics.
Lamb Counting: Provide small lamb figurines and number cards. Children can practice counting and number recognition by matching the lamb figurines to the appropriate number card.
- Gather materials: small lamb figurines and number cards (1-10 or more depending on the level of the children)
- Lay out the number cards in a row.
- Allow students to choose a lamb figurine and count it.
- Ask the child to match the lamb figurine to the corresponding number card.
- Repeat with different lamb figurines until all have been matched to their number cards.
- For an added challenge, you can ask the child to count the total number of lambs and find the matching card.
- You can also switch roles, where the child chooses a number card and has to find the appropriate number of lamb figurines.
- Encourage children to say the number out loud as they match the lamb to the correct card.
- Use this activity for a small group or center activity.
- Have fun with the little lambs!
Sheep Life Cycle: Introduce a life cycle mat and figurines for each stage of the sheep’s life cycle. Children can place the figurines in order and discuss how the lamb grows and changes.
Start by introducing the idea of life cycles. Talk about how living things go through different stages as they grow and change.
Show the children a life cycle mat and explain how it can be used to show the different stages of a sheep’s life cycle.
Provide figurines or pictures of a lamb, sheep, ram, and ewe to represent each stage of the life cycle.
Ask the children to place the figurines in the correct order on the life cycle mat.
Once the figurines are in the correct order, have a discussion about each stage of the life cycle. Ask questions such as:
- What does the lamb look like when it is born?
- What does a sheep look like when it is fully grown?
- How long does it take for a lamb to grow into a sheep?
Encourage children to use descriptive language and compare the different stages of the life cycle.
To reinforce the learning, have the children complete a sheep life cycle worksheet or activity.
Sheep Milk Exploration: Provide samples of sheep’s milk alongside cow’s milk for children to taste and compare. Discuss the nutritional and cultural significance of sheep’s milk in different parts of the world.
Preparation
Gather the necessary materials such as cups, spoons, and both sheep’s milk and cow’s milk. Ensure that you have enough samples for each child to taste. You may also want to provide crackers or bread to accompany the milk.
Introduction
Start by discussing the different types of milk and where they come from. Explain that today you will be exploring sheep’s milk and comparing it to cow’s milk.
Tasting
Distribute the samples of milk. Encourage the children to taste both and then compare the flavors and textures. Some children may prefer one over the other, while others may find them both equally tasty.
Discussion
After the tasting, facilitate a discussion with the children about their thoughts on the two types of milk. Ask questions such as:
- Did anyone like one more than the other?
- Did anyone notice any differences in taste or texture?
- Did anyone notice any similarities between the two?
Cultural significance
Discuss the cultural significance of sheep’s milk in various parts of the world. For example, in Greece, sheep’s milk is commonly used for feta cheese and yogurt. In Italy, it is used for pecorino cheese. Explain how in some countries such as Mongolia, sheep’s milk is the primary source of milk for many people.
Nutritional value
Discuss the nutritional value of sheep’s milk compared to cow’s milk. Explain that sheep’s milk is higher in protein and calcium, but also higher in fat. Ask the children which milk they think might be better for them and why.
Conclusion
Wrap up the exploration by summarizing what the children learned about sheep’s milk and how it is enjoyed in different parts of the world. Encourage them to continue exploring and trying new foods.
Lamb-Themed Sight Words: Create lamb-themed sight words cards for children to identify. Use the lamb figurines as a manipulative to help children match the word to the correct meaning.
Choose a list of sight words you want to work on with the children. You can find pre-made lists online or create your own.
Print out the sight words on cardstock or heavy paper. Cut them into small rectangles, about 2 inches by 3 inches. Laminate the cards for durability.
Find some small lamb figurines, such as plastic toys or stuffed animals. Make sure you have enough for each child to have one.
Set out the sight word cards and the lamb figurines. Explain to the children that they will be matching the words to the correct lamb.
To begin, hold up one of the sight word cards and read the word out loud. Ask the children to look at the card and then find the lamb that represents that word.
When a child finds the correct lamb, they can place the card in front of the lamb. Continue until all the cards have been matched to the correct lamb.
To make the activity more challenging, you can mix up the cards and have the children sort them by word family or beginning/ending sounds.
Encourage the children to practice reading the words out loud as they match them to the lambs.
As a fun extension activity, you can have the children create their own lamb-themed sight word cards by drawing a picture of a lamb and writing a sight word on the card.
This activity is a great way to incorporate hands-on learning and visual aids to help children learn and recognize sight words. Plus, who doesn’t love cute little lambs?
Wool Sorting: Provide a variety of wool colors and textures and a sorting tray. Encourage children to sort the wool by color or texture.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to conduct a wool sorting activity:
Materials needed:
- A variety of wool colors and textures
- Sorting tray or container
Instructions:
Prepare the wool: Gather a variety of wool colors and textures. You could use different types of wool, such as merino, alpaca, mohair, or cashmere, to provide different textures. You could also dye the wool beforehand to provide a wider range of colors. Cut the wool into small pieces, about 2-3 inches long.
Set up the activity: Lay out the wool and the sorting tray or container. Explain to the children that they will be sorting the wool by color or texture. Demonstrate how to use the tray by sorting a few pieces of wool yourself.
Sorting by color: Encourage the children to begin sorting by color. Ask them questions about the colors they see, such as “Which colors are similar?” or “How are the colors different?” You could ask them to group the wool into primary colors (red, blue, yellow) or into warm or cool colors.
Sorting by texture: Once the wool has been sorted by color, encourage the children to move on to sorting by texture. Ask them to feel the different types of wool and describe how they feel, such as “This one is soft and fluffy” or “This one is scratchy.” You could ask them to group the wool into categories such as “soft and fluffy” or “rough and scratchy.”
Extension activity: You could extend the activity by having the children use the sorted wool to create a collage or a picture. They could glue the wool onto paper to create a textured design.
Clean up: Once the activity is finished, collect the wool and store it for future use. Clean up any scraps or bits of wool that may have fallen on the floor or table.
Wool sorting is a fun and educational activity that can help children develop their sensory and cognitive skills. By sorting the wool by color or texture, they learn to observe and categorize objects, which can ultimately help them develop more advanced math and science skills. Additionally, handling the wool can provide a calming and soothing sensory experience, which can help reduce stress and anxiety.
Sheep Learning Pack
Preschool sheep printables are educational resources designed for young learners to understand the life cycle, anatomy, and types of sheep. These printables include coloring pages, worksheets, and diagrams to help children learn about the different stages of a sheep’s life. The anatomy section provides illustrations of sheep’s body parts. Young learners can also learn about different types of sheep, such as the Merino, Suffolk, and Dorset breeds. These printables are a great way to introduce preschoolers to the world of sheep farming and animal science.
Children will learn the stages of the sheep life cycle and parts of the sheep, practice sequencing skills and work to improve their concentration and fine motor skills.
This resource contains a sheep life cycle diagram, types of sheep information cards, a worksheet, 3-part cards, parts of the sheep printable, adjective printables, and information poster, My Book About Sheep student booklet and sheep predators vs. food sorting cards.
Kindergarten children can benefit significantly from learning about the sheep life cycle and anatomy with Montessori printables. By using interactive learning materials, they can develop their cognitive and observational skills, as well as their vocabulary and comprehension abilities. Additionally, this type of learning promotes creativity and fosters a sense of curiosity about the world around them. Understanding sheep anatomy and the life cycle can help children to appreciate the interconnectedness of life and to develop a deeper respect for animals and nature. As they grow, they will be able to apply this knowledge to more complex scientific concepts and continue to expand their understanding of the world.
HERE IS WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Sheep life cycle diagram
- Sheep life cycle 3 part cards
- Sheep life cycle coloring, cutting, and pasting worksheet (color and blackline)
- Sheep life cycle tracing strips
- Sheep life cycle information cards
- Parts of a Sheep diagram
- Parts of a Sheep diagram minus labels
- Parts of a Sheep labels
- Parts of a Sheep information cards
- Parts of a Sheep tracing & independent writing worksheet
- Parts of a Sheep student booklet (independent writing)
- Types of Sheep 3 part cards
- Types of Sheep information cards
- Sheep characteristics color poster
- Sheep characteristics black line poster
- Sheep characteristics mat
- Sheep characteristics color cards
- Sheep characteristics tracing & coloring student booklet
- Sheep characteristics student booklet
- Sheep information poster
- My Book About Sheep
- Sheep Food vs. Preditors sorting cards
- Sheep anatomy diagram adjective activity.
Farm - Children's Books and Learning Resources
Farm Babies Safari Toob 3 Part Cards Editable
Three-part cards with 11 examples of farm babies for the object-to-image matching activity.
The printable provides a set of cards with photographs of 11 different types of farm baby animals included in the Safari Farm Babies Toob – pony foal, donkey foal, horse foal, kit, kid, kitten, puppy, chicks, piglet, lamb, and calf.
Farm Cards for Object to Picture Matching Activity with Safari Toob
Three-part cards with twenty images for the object to photo-matching activity. The printable features clear true-to-life images.
Farm Pack for Preschool - Montessori Nature Printables
Printable is made with hand-drawn watercolor clipart and has beautiful soft pastel tones.
These printables include 26 pages plus 2 pages with instructions.
Activities included: Silhouette activity, Preposition Cards, Vocabulary Cards, 3-Part Cards, Find the other half, Number Activity, Fine Motor pin poking activity, Colour Wheel activity.
Safari TOOB and Toy-Matching 3-Part Cards | Montessori | Editable
Early Learning Bundle with 40 printable sets that contain 3-Part Cards for an object-to-picture matching activity. Sets are designed to match the classroom favorites – Safari TOOB figures. Use in any language. All sets include an editable PowerPoint file. Types labels in your own language and print.
Community Helpers 3-Part Cards - Montessori Nature Printables
The printable features real photos
The printable is suitable for children ages 3-6.
Classification nomenclature cards are great for expanding vocabulary and can be used during Social Studies and for teaching ESL students of all ages.
Vocabulary Cards With Animals - Montessori Nature Printables
Farm Animals, Big Animals, Small Animals, Baby Animals, Sea Animals, and Birds. Each set has two versions – with labels and without labels. You can use Vocabulary Animals Set Of Cards for match-up game, memory game and for learning new vocabulary with children and ESL students.
Flowers - Object to Picture Matching Activity with Safari Toob
Three-part cards with eight images for the object to photo-matching activity. The printable features clear real-life photographs.
It includes a set of flower vocabulary cards – rose, tulip, hibiscus, bird of paradise, daffodil, sunflower, lotus, orchid.
Honey Bee Life Cycle - Nature Curriculum in Cards
Two sets of Honey Bee Life Cycle activities with student worksheets and Honey Bee 3-part Cards
Parts of the Plant Printable - Nature Curriculum in Cards
Parts of the Plant 3-part card activity and handwriting sheets.
The printable features a clipart.
Parts of the Seed Printable - Nature Curriculum in Cards
Parts of the Seed – 3-part card activity and handwriting sheets.
Types of Flowers - Nature Curriculum in Cards
Three-part and description cards with eighteen different flowering plants. The printable features isolated images of commonly known flowers such as lotus, sunflower, pansy, orchid, tulip, rose, blue plumbago, calla lily, carnation, dahlia, daisy, bird of paradise, iris, lily, magnolia, narcissus, petunia, poppy.
Parts of a Honey Bee 3 Part Cards and B&W Student Booklet - Montessori Nature Printables
Montessori cards with 12 parts of a honey bee and b&w student booklet for tracing and independent writing.
Types of Spring Flowers 3 Part Cards and B&W Booklet Printable
Twelve beautiful flowers of Spring. Three-part cards feature colorful clipart images.
Please note, this product is also a part of Seasonal Hands-On Activities for Montessori 3-6 Classroom Bundle and Spring Pack Hands-on Montessori Inspired Activities. If you have purchased the money-saving bundle or the pack, you don’t need to purchase this printable as well!
Farming (New & Updated Edition)
Explore the natural world with Gail Gibbons in this introduction to farming and the work done on a farm throughout the seasons.
Farms are busy places throughout the year. Animals are born, fields are plowed and planted, and crops are harvested. The winters are quiet, but there are always chores to be done, and soon spring will come again.
This Farm Is a Family (Barn Sanctuary)
In this adorable illustrated picture book for kids written by Dan McKernan (Saved by the Barn), the rescue farm animals at Barn Sanctuary decide to help a cow who is dealing with fear and anxiety in her new home. Children will learn the importance of friendship and compassion, as well as why it’s important to support others during hard times.
World of Eric Carle, Around the Farm Animal 30-Button Sound Book - Great for First Words - PI Kids
Put on your overalls and have a stroll Around The Farm in this amazing sound book! Your little one can press 30 different sound buttons while they read to bring the amazing art stylings of Eric Carle to life!
Farm Animals! - From Cows to Chickens (Farming for Kids) - Children's Books on Farm Life
Let’s visit the farm virtually and meet the animals there! This edutaining book is a fun mix of pictures and texts. Your child would love to go through them and learn something new primarily because of the layout and the careful selection of texts. So what are you waiting for? Secure a copy of this fun picture book today!
National Geographic Kids On the Farm Sticker Activity Book: Over 1,000 Stickers! (NG Sticker Activity Books)
An exciting interactive title chock-full of adorable piglets, fuzzy baby chicks, and other barnyard fun, brings National Geographic Kids signature content to a sticker and activity book format. Packed with mazes, spelling and pattern games, drawing activities, and more, kids are sure to love these pages loaded with fun.
Big Red Barn
Margaret Wise Brown's simple, rhythmic text about the cycle of a day on a farm, where a family of animals peacefully plays and sleeps, has charmed generations of children.
As in her classic Goodnight Moon, Brown engages children and helps settle them down for sleep as they follow along with the animals from morning to night in the barnyard.
Teacher Created Materials - TIME For Kids Informational Text: A Visit to a Farm - Grade 2 - Guided Reading Level I
Take a trip to the place where cows and horses play and fields of crops grow in this nonfiction book that tours a farm! Early elementary readers will discover the types of farm animals, crops, and different machinery used to run a farm. With informational text, a picture glossary, a map of the farm, and bright, colorful photos, readers will want to learn all about life on a farm!
Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter
A captivating exploration of how a family gets a farm ready for the snow of winter, Sleep Tight Farm lyrically connects each growing season to the preparations at the very end of the farm year. This beautiful and informative book paints a fascinating picture of what winter means to the farm year and to the family that shares its seasons, from spring's new growth, summer's heat, and fall's bounty to winter's well-earned rest. All year long the farm has worked to shelter us, feed us, keep us warm, and now it's time to sleep.
Farm Friends Lift-a-Flap Board Book (John Deere Kids)
Nothing runs or reads like a John Deere Lift-a-Flap farm book! Introduce your little one to all the friendly animals on the farm with this adorable and sturdy board book filled with lively rural scenes and tractors designed to educate and entertain your little John Deere enthusiast.
Winter on the Farm (Little House Picture Book)
With this illustrated adaptation from the beloved Little House series, the youngest readers can share in the joy of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved classics.
This My First Little House book introduces Almanzo Wilder, the young boy from Farmer Boy who would one day marry Laura Ingalls. Winter has come to the Wilder family farm in upstate New York. Almanzo goes through his afternoon barn chores, and then sits down to eat a hearty farm supper with his family.
Tractors and Farm Machinery: A STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Book for Kids (STEM Books for Kids)
For kids who love big, noisy machines — trucks, vehicles, things with big, chunky tires that go — and can’t learn enough about them!
Full of photographs and close-ups of tractors and farm machinery, this book uses fun, engaging rhymes to explain what these machines do and introduce them to the complex and fascinating work of farming, from plows, to combines, hay balers, drones, and more. Kids will learn about these incredible machines and how they help farmers grow food.
A Kid's Guide to Keeping Chickens: Best Breeds, Creating a Home, Care and Handling, Outdoor Fun, Crafts and Treats
Covering everything from feeding, housing, and collecting eggs to quirky behaviors and humane treatment, Caughey’s engaging advice helps children understand the best ways to care for their chickens. Spark enthusiasm with creative activities like chicken forts and a veggie piñata for the flock, and feed more than the imagination with egg-centric dishes like Mexican egg pizza.
Plant & Grow (John Deere Lift-A-Flap Board Book)
Nothing runs or reads like a John Deere Lift-a-Flap farming book! Introduce your little one to the wonderful world of farming with this adorable and sturdy board book filled with fun farm facts, tractors, harvesting machinery, and lively rural scenes designed to educate and entertain your little John Deere enthusiast. Simple sentences reinforce future language structure while grasping and lifting the durable flaps helps develop fine motor skills.
Saving Emma the Pig (The Biggest Little Farm)
A companion picture book to the award-winning film, "The Biggest Little Farm"!
Welcome to Apricot Lane Farm, a unique world full of true stories about heartwarming animals’ relationships and the special people who care for them.
A Year at a Farm (Time Goes By)
Horses! Ducks! Cows! Would you like to see what happens during a year at a farm? Then come spend the next twelve months at this farm. Check out eight action-packed scenes for a bird’s-eye view of spring planting, a summer festival, and an autumn harvest.
Encyclopedia Britannica - Kids Farm Animals Listen and Learn Sound Book - PI Kids
Look, listen, and learn about animals you might find on a farm! Your little one can press ten sound buttons to hear the animal's names and the sounds they make. Horses, cows, cats, dogs, we ve even included frogs; hear them all come to life.