pets help children develop
source of support and affection
Pets and children make a great match. They don’t expect too much of each other and just enjoy one another’s company. Apart from this unconditional acceptance, recent research shows pets have a positive influence on a child’s development.
As for cognitive development, there is some preliminary evidence that pet
ownership might facilitate language acquisition and enhance verbal skills. Not
only is a pet an attractive verbal stimulus, but it is also a patient listener.
Some schools have installed reading programs with the help of therapy dogs. The
presence of these dogs gives children the encouragement they need to read aloud.
Reading to the nonjudgmental dogs who don’t make critical remarks, their
confidence and reading skills grow.
A study of Kansas State University among 88 households during five years
found that interaction with a companion animal gives the child an understanding
of the world from the pet’s viewpoint. This stimulates the child’s cognitive
development and may even boost its IQ scores.
The contribution a pet makes to a child’s development differs with the
age of the child. In early childhood (infancy through preschool years), the
animal companion offers mainly affection and the possibility for physical
contact. As small children are still physically clumsy it is of the utmost
importance for the child and for the pet that their interaction is supervised by
adults at all times.
Middle childhood is where a pet can have the biggest influence. Besides
being a playmate, the pet can also facilitate friendships with other children.
Through feeding, grooming, bathing, and cleaning up after the animal, a child
learns skills related to caring for another living being and experiences the
positive effects of this care. Children have to learn to nurture in order to
become nurturing adults. The attachments they form in childhood are the basis
for their later social relationships.
Taking care of the pet can’t be the duty of a child alone though. An
adult always has the ultimate responsibility for fulfilling the needs of the
animal.
During the emotional roller coaster of adolescence, the companion animal
plays a very important role as confidant.
In general, children turn to their pets when they feel sad, angry, or
frightened, or to tell a secret. Pets may make children feel more secure and
safe. They have few demands, do not hold grudges, and are always happy to see
you.
Dealing with
death
A very special lesson pets teach is about death. Most companion animals
have a shorter life span than we do. For many people, the loss of a pet is the
first death experience of their childhood. This makes a profound impact and
adults should handle children who lost a beloved animal with special care. Until
about 5-7 years, children do not understand death as being definitive. They
think the animal will come back or they start having fears that they themselves
will also die soon.
Don’t hide the death of a pet from children telling them the pet has
walked away. It’s best to be honest and talk about what happened to the
animal. Grief rituals like making a memorial for the pet help the child dealing.
Don’t replace the animal quickly as this may transmit the idea a pet is
disposable. Give the child time to grieve the loss. The relationship between a
child and the beloved animal is unique.
Pets come in all shapes and sizes. What makes a good companion animal?
One that is known to interact well with children, is responsive to human
interaction, and is inclined to cuddle and show warmth and affection. Its size
has to be appropriate. For young children for instance it’s better to have an
adult dog or cat that tolerates active playing and handling than a fragile puppy
or kitten. Contrary to the common believe rabbits aren’t that suitable as they
are easily injured and frightened. Every pet needs a safe place to be able to
escape to when it wants to be left alone for a while.
It is very important to consider the time and energy you have to invest to attend to the animal’s basic needs, as well as the financial costs. A companion animal also needs attention and affection. Bringing a pet in your house is only the beginning. There needs to be interaction in which adults have to play an active role. The benefits don’t automatically rise from pet ownership. It’s the attachment to the pet that creates the magic.
Brigitte Delange
References
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. http://aacap.org
Capital Area Humane Society. www.cahs-pets.org
Delta Society, The Human-Animal Health Connection. www.deltasociety.org
Lookabaugh Triebenbacher, Sandra. The Companion Animal within the
Family System: The Manner in Which Animals Enhance Life within the Home,
from the Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy. San Diego, CA: Academic
Press, 2000