What Is a Bear?
A bear is a mammal. It has fur and breathes air.
Different bears eat different foods. They may eat berries, nuts, fish, insects or plants.
Bear
A bear is a big, strong animal. It has thick fur, four large paws and a short tail. Bears live in forests, mountains and cold places.
Fun Facts About Bears
- A baby bear is called a cub.
- There are eight kinds of bear.
- Different bears eat different foods.
- Bears have a very good sense of smell.
Easy learning for little ones
Talk and Move
Try one short prompt at a time. Children can point, speak or copy the movement.
- 1
Point to the bear's paws.
- 2
Say “bear” and make a low growl.
- 3
Pretend to sniff for food like a bear.
Home, Food and Movement
- Home: forests, mountains and cold places
- Food: berries, nuts, fish, insects and plants
- Movement: walks, runs, climbs and swims
- Sound: growls, grunts and huffs
Easy Practice Sentences
Easy: I see a bear.
Medium: The bear has big paws.
Challenge: The bear uses its nose to find food.
Say each sentence aloud and point to the picture.
Activity Idea
Draw a cosy home for a bear.
- Draw trees, rocks and some water.
- Draw a bear with round ears and four paws.
- Add berries or fish for the bear to eat.
- Tell a grown-up what your bear needs.
This activity helps children draw, speak and learn about a bear's home.
Bear Body Parts
- Nose: helps the bear smell food
- Fur: helps keep the bear warm
- Paws: help it walk and swim
- Claws: help it dig and climb
- Teeth: help it eat food
Look and Think
- What colour is the bear?
- Can you point to its ears?
- Can you find its paws?
- Does the bear have thick fur?
Learning Safely About Bears
- Bears are wild animals. Never go near one.
- Never touch or feed a bear.
- Stay with a grown-up at the zoo.
- Always stay behind the safety fence.
Compare and Think
- Brown bear and polar bear: both are bears, but their fur is a different colour.
- Bear and panda: a panda is a kind of bear that eats lots of bamboo.
- Bear and lion: both are big animals, but a lion is a wild cat.
Bear Family Life
A mother bear looks after her cubs. She keeps them warm and safe.
Some bears rest in a den during winter. A den is a safe, quiet place.
Why Bears Need Protection
Bears need safe places to live. They also need enough food and clean water.
People can protect the forests and wild places where bears live.
Bear Words to Learn
- Cub: a young bear
- Fur: hair that covers a bear's body
- Paw: a bear's foot
- Den: a safe place where a bear can rest
- Habitat: an animal's home
Check understanding
Quick Questions
Say each answer aloud. Then check it with a grown-up.
Q1
What is a baby bear called?
Answer
A baby bear is called a cub.
Q2
What covers a bear's body?
Answer
Thick fur covers a bear's body.
Q3
Name one food a bear may eat.
Answer
A bear may eat berries, nuts or fish.
Q4
What is a bear's resting place called?
Answer
It is called a den.