How do pets benefit children's development?

The Powerful Bond Between People and Pets, psychologist Elizabeth Anderson wrote: “Nothing less than alchemy is involved when animals and children get together, and the resulting magic has healing properties that work well.”

Most adults who grew up with a fluffy best friend will confirm this as truthful. There’s just some magical bond that forms between a child and his pet that leads to most mischievous little adventures that never got forgotten.

Aside from building great memories, raising a pet as a child actually serves some incredible purposes when it comes to the emotional development and even physical health of kids.

• PRICELESS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

First of all, having a pet is a wonderful experience for a child. Every animal will respond to affection and care with even more love and loyalty.

Your child will never feel lonely if he spends his time near a big ball of soft fur he can hug and play with all day long.

Children often talk to their pets so they can be safe recipients of secrets and private thoughts – a healthy way for a child to express his emotions where he knows no one will judge him.

That way children who grow with pets end up with higher self-esteem, cognitive development, and social skills.

Pets also have an impact on reducing stress, providing social support and companionship, and improving children's communication skills.

• LEARNING RESPONSIBILITY AND CARING FOR OTHERS

A child who learns to care for an animal, and treat it kindly and patiently with respect, may learn invaluable lesson to treat people the same way.

When a child learns from a young age to put other’s needs (like feeding or walking) in front of theirs (playing or napping), he tends to be more caring, less selfish and happier later in life.

Just keep in mind, children can’t take all responsibility to care for a pet full time, so make sure you supervise and jump in whenever it’s necessary to keep everyone healthy and happy.

• HEALTH BENEFITS

It’s hard to stay passive and inactive when that energetic ball of fur demands attention and physical activity.

That’s exactly the reason why kids who share childhood with pets have better general health and are less likely to become victims of obesity.

They spend more time outdoors, connect with nature, explore the unknown, and expand their capabilities.

In addition, a study in the Journal of Pediatrics shows that kids who had a dog during the first year of their life had a higher immune response, with 31% fewer respiratory tract infections than those without.

• INVALUABLE LIFE LESSONS

Beside unconditional companionship, pets provide lessons about life, including reproduction, birth, illnesses, accidents, and death.

At the moment of happening, it may be hard to watch your child feel pain because he lost his best friend.

You may decide not to have a pet just to spare him of that unpleasant experience, but life won’t be so gentle.

For many children, the loss of a loved family pet is their first experience with death and that way they learn to cope with it from a young age.

CONCLUSION

Overall, children that have pets while growing up seem to be more obedient, physically active and less moody, and also have fewer behavior and learning problems.

But before you jump into the wagon, and provide one to your child, take into account temperament of the dog and the dog's age.

Older dogs may be less equipped to deal with noisy children, while very young puppies can’t understand that the child is not a toy.

Plan carefully, and make sure your child gets all the best benefits of having a four-legged buddy to grow up with.