Parent Zone
July 2008
Kids and Pets: A Good Match?
For many adults, pets are an integral part of our lives, and if we have children, pets become part of our children's lives also. A child learning to care for an animal, and treating it kindly and patiently may get invaluable training in learning to treat others the same way. But remember--while all kinds of pets can bring children pleasure, it is important to choose a pet that is right for your family, your home, and your lifestyle; and one that your child can appropriately help care for.
Children raised with pets show many benefits such as:
- Increased social skills
- Higher self-esteem and self-confidence
- The development of trusting relationships with others
- Enhanced non-verbal communication, compassion, and empathy.
Healthy relationships with pets can teach children to:
- Understand lessons about life: reproduction, birth, illnesses, accidents, death, and bereavement
- Develop responsible behavior
- Nurture a connection to nature
- Respect other living things.
Other physical and emotional needs fulfilled by pet ownership include:
- Physical activity
- Comfort contact
- Love, loyalty, and affection
- Experience with loss if a pet is lost or dies.
http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts
_for_families/pets_and_children
Other Links to Explore
A Furry, Feathery or Scaly Best Friend: Children and Pets
http://www.childcareaware.org/en/subscriptions
/dailyparent/volume.php?id=56
The Benefits of Pets
http://www.parents.com/family-life/pets/
kids/pets-good-for-kids/
Pets and Children: A Lifelong Friendship
http://www.petloveshack.com/kids.html
Kids and Pets
http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimals
/petcare/fm_kids.cfm
Selecting the Right Pet for Your Family
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/
selecting_the_right_pet_for_your_
family_and_making_the_introduction.html
Bringing a Pet into the Family
http://www.parenthood.com/article-topics
/article-topics.php?Article_ID=5541
