CHILD PET
 
The benefits of a child pet...
Child Pet
By Vanessa Rasmussen, © 2006-2010, All rights reserved.
The
relationship between animals and children is a very special one. Pets, whether
a dog, cat, bird, hamster, reptile or fish, help children gain a sense of
independence and duty that can set them on the path to becoming mature, responsible
adults. Pets also teach children social behavior, tolerance, how to make friends,
and how to be sensitive
towards others. A child who learns to care for an
animal and treat it kindly and patiently, gets invaluable training in learning
to treat people the same way.
Walking the dog, feeding the guinea pig and
talking to the parrot can serve as fun study breaks for kids, and a replacement
for television programs and video games. These pet-related activities help
children remain focused on the task at hand, and are less likely to become
distractions that will prevent homework and chores from being completed. 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 help care for.
Here are some tips for parents who want a healthy
pet-children relationship in their homes:
- Be careful in choosing aggressive animals.
Even trained and domesticated animals can be aggressive. Also, exotic and
unusual animals may be difficult to care for and should be considered carefully.
- Let your child do only those pet-related
activities that he/she is truly capable of. For instance, do not let a young
child feed dog, however even-tempered or friendly the dog may be. Or don't
let the child walk the dog without an adult accompanying the child.
- If your child is afraid of your pet or a
pet at someone else's home you are visiting, do not make it a big issue.
If you try to force the pet on the child, he/she will be more withdrawn
and afraid of the pet. Give the child some time to get used to being around
a pet.
- Reptiles and even turtles are not good pets
for children as they may pass salmonella bacteria to children.
- Teach your kids appropriate behavior around
pets. Tell them to always ask permission from the owner before touching
anyone else's pet. Also, never disturb an animal that is sleeping, eating
or chewing on something.
- Teach your kids to touch their pets in ways
that don't frighten animals. If a child is being abusive towards an animal,
whether intentional or not, the parent should talk to him about how that
makes the animal feel.
- In case the child continues abuse and neglect
towards the pet, you can find a new home for the animal.
- If abusive behavior persists, it may be
a sign of significant emotional problems. Any child who abuses, tortures
or kills animals should be referred to a child and adolescent psychiatrist
for a comprehensive evaluation.
- The children tend to be more attached and
therefore more devastated when a pet dies. It's important to let children
know that it's okay to be sad when the family pet dies and even to have
a memorial service and burial if your child wants to.
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DAYCARE
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