What Is a Cow?
A cow has hair and four legs. A mother cow makes milk for her calf.
Farmers give cows grass, clean water, shelter and room to move.
Cow
A cow is a large farm animal. It has four hooves and a long tail. Cows eat grass and make a moo sound.
Fun Facts About Cows
- A baby in the cattle family is called a calf.
- A group of cattle is called a herd.
- A cow eats grass and hay.
- A cow makes a sound called a moo.
Farm Home, Food, and Movement
- Home: a field and a dry farm shelter
- Food: grass and hay
- Movement: walks and runs on four hooves
- Sound: says moo
Easy Practice Sentences
Easy: I see a cow.
Medium: The cow says moo.
Challenge: The cow eats grass in the field.
Say each sentence aloud and point to the picture.
Activity Idea
Make a happy cow picture.
- Draw a cow in a green field.
- Add four legs, two ears and a tail.
- Draw grass, water and a farm shelter.
- Tell a grown-up what sound the cow makes.
This activity helps children draw, speak and learn about cows.
Cow Body Parts
- Nose: helps a cow smell
- Ears: help a cow hear
- Hooves: help a cow walk
- Udder: makes milk for a calf
- Tail: helps swish away flies
Look and Think
- What colour is the cow?
- Can you point to its ears?
- Can you count four hooves?
- Can you find its long tail?
Learning Safely Around Cows
- Stay with a grown-up.
- Watch cows from a safe place.
- Be calm and quiet.
- Ask before touching or feeding a cow.
- Wash your hands after visiting a farm and before eating.
Compare and Think
- Cow and calf: a cow is grown up. A calf is a baby.
- Cow and goat: both eat plants. A cow is bigger.
- Cow and chicken: a cow has hair. A chicken has feathers.
Cow Words to Learn
- Calf: a baby in the cattle family
- Cow: a grown-up female in the cattle family
- Bull: a grown-up male in the cattle family
- Herd: a group of cattle
- Moo: the sound a cow makes
Check understanding
Quick Questions
Say each answer aloud. Then check it with a grown-up.
Q1
What is a baby cow called?
Answer
A baby cow is called a calf.
Q2
What does a cow eat?
Answer
A cow eats grass and hay.
Q3
What sound does a cow make?
Answer
A cow says moo.
Q4
What are a cow’s feet called?
Answer
They are called hooves.