The role of pets in childhood development
The role of pets in childhood development.
by Tayla Collins
You may have heard the saying that pets have the power to make a house into a home, and this is even more true when you bring a pet home for your children. Aside from the joy and companionship that children get from owning a pet, you may be surprised at how large a role a furry friend can play in childhood development. This can be true for emotional, physical, social, and mental growth.
As reported in this guide to pets and childhood development, 94% of dog-owning families felt that their child formed a strong bond with their pet. But dogs aren’t the only animals that can support children as they grow – a pet of any description could have a positive impact. Here, we take a closer look at the many benefits that pets can bring to your child’s life, whatever age they may be.
Boosting self-esteem
Pets provide a non-judgmental presence for children, which can help when it comes to developing skills like reading. Being able to read aloud to a pet can be a great way for shy children to feel more confident, and even just developing the skills needed to care for a pet can empower a child in other areas of their life. Because pets are a constant presence in a child’s life, they learn to feel more secure with them, reducing nervousness and anxiety overall, and developing emotional robustness.
Increasing personal responsibility
Becoming more independent is crucial for children, and pets in the home can help with this as well. Kids can soon take on certain caring responsibilities, such as remembering to walk the dog or letting the cat out into the garden and helping to feed them. Even cleaning out a cage or spending time training pets can provide children with a taste of independence that can help them make their own decisions both in and out of the home. This is a great idea both for young children who can be supported by an adult or older children who can take on tasks by themselves.
Decreasing loneliness
Loneliness can be a challenging issue for children, whether this is because they feel isolated from their peers at school or due to a house move or another reason. This can be especially true for neurodiverse children, for whom making social connections can prove even more difficult. When children are lonely, they may withdraw, and many treat pets as confidants and friends who they can communicate with openly, whenever they don’t feel ready to talk to a human. Pets can lower anxiety and decrease loneliness, encouraging openness and providing a point of connection to other family members.
Improving physical health
Owning a pet can be a fantastic way for children to get away from screens. While it is all too common for children to spend free time on laptops, phones and games consoles, it isn’t always a healthy and beneficial activity.
A pet can help children to be more active, whether that is by walking a dog and playing ball, or handling a small pet and spending time with them. Not only are they learning more about their pet and taking care of them, they are getting exercise and releasing energy themselves, which can have a significant impact on brain development as well as physical health.
Encouraging social skills
While pets can help to tackle loneliness in children, they can also encourage social skills and connections with other humans. This can be through children being able to talk about their pets with their peers, or through meeting other pet owners at clubs, training sessions, or even just at the park.
Simply by connecting with a pet, some studies have shown that children (and even adults) can improve the skills required to socialise with other people – such as encouraging being open to peers and learning how to focus on others.
These are just a handful of the ways in which our passion for pets can aid and encourage child development. Whatever kind of pet is right for your children and living situation, you could be introducing not just a cherished member of the family, but a wonderful way for your child to grow and learn.
