Kids and Pets: A Winning Combination
Children and pets are a natural combination. Having a best buddy, especially one who loves unconditionally, is a gift for a kid. Through the years, our golden retrievers tagged after the boys across the yard, through the woods, and even off the end of the dock into the lake for a swim.
While companionship is wonderful, the advantages of pet ownership include life skills a child can take into adulthood. Caring for a pet teaches a child how to be nurturing and kind. These are training tools for kids in their friendship making skill set. A pet gives a child something to share with other children, a common place to start a conversation.
Responsibility lessons come from having to feed, water, and exercise a pet. With parental help, setting up a schedule for changing water, supplying food, emptying a litter box, and so on provides a concrete plan for pet care.
Add exercising the pet to the list of pet care chores. Your child might just be healthier because of the family pet. Taking the dog outside to play encourages the child to spend more time outdoors and moving.
Children and pets are also a comfort to one another. Developmentally challenged children and those with learning disabilities benefit from therapy pets. From abused children to those struggling to read, kids find a pal and a support in a family pet. If your child is having difficulties reading, have him curl up with the family dog to read aloud. Having a nonjudgmental listener will ease the child’s anxiety and provide a safe place to practice literacy skills.
Whether it’s a cat, dog, fish, hamster or other pet, think seriously about how you and your children can benefit. If you already have pets, encourage your kids to become more involved in the care of the animals. Pets are good for everyone in the family, and they are a lot of fun!
© 2023 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.
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