Children and Animals...they go together like...children and animals. According to reports from the American Veterinary Medical Association, over 70% of households with children in the US also include at least one pet. Recently, some developmental theorists have turned their attention to the role interaction with nonhuman animals has on a number of aspects of child development. Let's see what they discovered.
Cognitive Benefits
Studies have shown that infants, toddlers and children show more interest in live animals than they do to inanimate objects...regardless of the inanimate objects' movement or form. This interest allows for greater attention and curiosity about the animal and his environment. Attention and curiosity lead to learning and generalizing from the learning. For many children, animals motivate learning because the children are emotionally invested in the animal with whom they have a meaningful relationship. Children, in fact all of us, learn and remember more about subjects in which they are emotionally invested and when the learning occurs within a meaningful relationship.
Social Benefits
Pets serve as social support for children. Children will often name pets as one they can turn to when feeling either positive or negative emotions; or when they want to share a secret. Children distinguish relationships with pets as ones that will last "no matter what". This perceived stability may result in emotional benefits such as decreased anxiety and increased engagement.
Interaction with animals, whether their own pets, the pets of family or friends or through other encounters such as horseback riding or observing, help children develop skills in reading non-verbal forms of communication. These skills make them communicators who are more effective with other humans as well as other nonhuman animals.
Animals are social facilitators. Research has shown that those who are pictured or seen associating with animals are viewed more positively than the same individuals pictured without an animal. Those with animals are perceived to be friendlier, happier and more relaxed-all qualities that make people seem more approachable and likable.
Parents Teach Responsibility
Among the benefits of living with pets is the opportunity to nurture another being. This is an important human need. From as young as three years of age, both boys and girls perceive caring for younger siblings or others as gender-linked...female gender-linked. The same is NOT true for caring for pets...caring for pets remains consistently gender-neutral. Studies have shown a relationship between pet caretaking and increased empathy toward other animals and other humans too. Let's be clear on one thing though. Pets do not teach children responsibility. Pets provide a gender-neutral opportunity for nurturance. Parents, by virtue of their actions, attitudes, patience and explicit teachings, teach children responsibility.
When It Is Not All Sunshine and Roses
Cruelty to animals is a serious issue. It behooves us not to dismiss instances with phrases like "boys will be boys" or "it is just a passing phase". In numerous studies, cruelty to animals is correlated with cruelty toward other individuals. Cruelty to animals is listed among diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder and is more commonly seen in the histories of prison inmates serving time for violent crimes. A study of 6-12 year old children reported strong correlations between animal abuse and cruelty to other humans. Cruelty to animals is a barometer of development and the environment in which children are developing. It is a red flag that requires further investigation for the benefit of the child, other people and the animals with whom they come in contact.
When An Animal Dies
Loss of a pet is a significant loss for those who shared an emotional connection with that animal. Mourning the loss of a pet is a natural and healing process. It can be beneficial to explain death and its aftermath to children in a way that is consistent with one's own beliefs and customs. It is also beneficial to help children memorialize the pet in some way, for example by making a scrapbook or planting something in honor of the pet. There are a number of books available to help both adults and children cope with their grief and move forward from the loss. The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement has a comprehensive bibliography available at Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement.
Celebrate Good Times
Many kids and pets across America recently celebrated National Kids & Pets Day on April 26, 2014. In 2005, Colleen Paige created National Kids & Pets Day to highlight the bond between children and animals and foster safe interactions between children and their pets...and the pets of others. Celebration of the day also encourages shelter adoptions. We know not everyone can celebrate by going to a shelter to adopt a pet, but everyone can stop by our office before the end of May to drop off a wish list item for the sheltered animals at Burlington County Animal Shelter. Their wish list can be found online at
.
Sheryl L. Pipe, PhD
Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow
Psychology Permit Holder
TP #123-026
Minding What Matters, Editor
Dakhari Psychological Services, LLC
|