The influence of pets on child development

Any young family where a child grows up, is faced with a request of the baby to buy an animal. Some parents refuse categorically. Others - mindlessly agree immediately. Both that, and another are not absolutely correct. I propose to talk about the effect of animals on raising a child in the family in more detail.

Allowcannot be denied

1. The appearance of a pet in the family is a long-awaited event for the child. He already loves his dog, cat or bird. From the first days, you need to teach your baby to take care of them, take care as much as possible, do not offend. This will help to develop in a small person the qualities of a big and kind heart, - kindness, responsibility.
2. Animals bring a lot of positive emotions to the family. Observation of the pet’s behavior, its games, and rest sets adults and kids alike for a positive effect and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. A child from communication with animals becomes affectionate, calm, balanced.
3. Sometimes in the heat of games a child can offend a cat or a dog. And no matter how patient the pet, scratching from a cat or growling from a dog cannot be avoided. This situation perfectly teaches your baby caution makes you think about the feelings of others. Perhaps the child will understand for the first time that he offended another creature.
4. A child in 2 - 3 years old begins to feel a lack of communication. The constant presence of parents does not count. Mom and Dad are adults. The conversation is about a friend with whom you can communicate on an equal footing. Only in this way does the baby learn the world faster. It is an animal that becomes a real person for a small person friend.
5. Talking with smaller brothers helps the child in the development of speech. Reproducing after his “Friend” the sounds of meowing or growling, the whistling of a bird or the squeak of a hamster, the baby begins to speak faster, and it is easier for him to give complex letters.
6. Played, now you need to clean up after yourself and your friend. It teaches a child to work and discipline. It is important here not to overstrain the baby, to let him only do the job he can, for example, to collect and throw the torn pieces of paper into the bin, to lay down the toys. He is not ready for anything more. Otherwise, interest will simply disappear. Children do not like it when something does not work out or takes a long time. Mom will have to sweep the floor, wipe the spilled juice.
7. The child is inherent in selfishness, self-centeredness. It can be very difficult to get rid of this, especially if only one baby grows in the family. A dog or kitten will be a great way out of the situation. Now the attention of parents will not be focused only on their offspring, and the baby can not help but share a tidbit with a fluffy buddy.
8. Communication with a pet develops logical thinking in a child. He begins to understand: if the dog barks and runs to the bowl, then she wants to eat. Whimpers at the door - a walk is needed.
9. The first experiences and joys of communicating with a living creature in the future will help a person learn to empathizeto experience positive emotions not only from their achievements, but also from the successes of other people.
10. Through the senses, the baby recognizes objects, their color and shape. He quickly learns to distinguish his red cat from the neighbor's white. Stroking the back of the Tuzik, scratching the Barsik behind the ear, elusively develops rapidly sensory at the baby.
11. Running and playing with the dog, walking it, the child becomes physically stronger, coordination of movements develops, the ability to work in a team appears, the qualities of the social individual are manifested. It is easier for such a kid to get used to kindergarten, to school, and in adulthood and to the work collective.
12. Having grown a puppy next to a child, it becomes not only the most devoted friend, but also a patient listener, “The keeper of children's secrets :)”.

It’s impossible to allow refuse

There are situations when there is no way to take or buy a pet in the family:

• rental apartment;
• an allergy to the coat in a child or any member of the family;
• lack of time for parents, workload at work.

1. Does a young family live in a small or rented apartment? You can buy not a big dog, but a tiny one hamster or guinea pig. The kid will watch with a laugh as the hamster sticks all the food over his cheeks. At this point, it will be appropriate to remind the child that a person should not do this. Small pets make your baby feel big and kind, a real advocate. He will not be able to experience such a feeling being close only to adults or to a large dog.
2. Are you allergic to wool? Then it’s best to buy a baby fish. These pets will not take much time, and they do not need to walk, and they do not eat much. The only minus is that the kid with them will not be so interested as with those whom you can touch and squeeze, with whom you can run and somersault.
3. Birds like canaries and parrotsalso won’t take up much space. They are beautiful, they sing wonderfully. From communication with birds, kids develop an aesthetic taste, craving for beauty. One warning: very rare, but there is an allergy to bird plumage and droppings.
4. It is not necessary to buy a child a thoroughbred Rex or Siamese Bella. Outbred animals, not so refined and spoiled, combine all the best qualities: responsiveness, kindness, devotion, gratitude. They do not require anything, they just love with all their heart. The kid grows up next to them loyal, responsive, capable of gratitude, able to love.
5. Take up a bit of space rodentsTherefore, everyone can afford to buy them in their apartment. Hamsters bring more aesthetic pleasure. It is impossible to take your eyes off the fluffy lump, cheerfully running around the room and pushing food over the cheeks. Rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas are also unlikely to become soul mates for the child. But rats are distinguished by affection for humans. They become real friends. Sometimes rats, sitting on the child’s shoulder, make excursions to the street, of course, if mom permits. And do not run away.

Warn, foresee

It's about security. Young parents need to know that when buying a pet, another full member comes into the family. This is not a toy. Not a momentary whim for a child. You become responsible for another life.

• It is unacceptable to take a puppy or kitten, and then just give it to friends because of a decrease in interest in the baby. By this act you not only show cruelty, but also program the behavioral matrix of your child. If cruelty is the norm for parents, then what to expect from their child in the future?
• Choosing a pet for a family is a serious matter. Who should be preferred: a puppy or a kitten, a bird or a fish, a guinea pig or a hamster? A matter of taste, but not only;
• It is dangerous to bring a fighting breed dog into the house. Games with children are completely out of character of these dogs. It is necessary to learn more in advance about the characteristics of dog breeds and their behavioral characteristics.
• When buying an animal, demand to show you a certificate from a veterinarian. This is not just a piece of paper with a seal, but the safety of your family. Often a dog or cat is taken from the hands, not interested in the health of the animal, including mental. Who will guarantee that the cat or dog will not attack the child? Remember that vaccines are not a whim for doctors. Together with a sick animal, an infection or illness can enter your house;
• A special place is occupied by exotic animals. They can only be bought at a pet store. Never buy canaries and parrots in dubious bird markets, according to announcements. Very often they are brought illegally, and in most cases birds are carriers of rare diseases;
• Mom must patiently explain to her childthat he is big, but the bird or hamster is small, they can not be hugged "very very", since dad, or you can accidentally strangle. Behavioral taboos are laid.
• It is necessary to constantly monitor the health of the animal. Infection of a dog or cat with fleas and worms is unacceptable. This is very dangerous for the child, he can become infected and get seriously ill.

Buy baby

• a dog

There is hardly a more loyal friend. He will become a kid and a defender, and a companion for games. The only thing adults should think about is the size of the future family member. In a small apartment, representatives of large breeds of dogs will be hard. And the child loves anyone - small, huge, short and very tiny.

Funny children and animals, communication of kids with dogs!

• cat

The second popular pet is a representative of the cat breed. Although these fluffy lumps “walk on their own”, they are very fond of putting the back under a gentle human hand. They get along well with children, very patiently endure tugging at the antennae and tail, purring with emotion. Perfect for any apartment.

We also read: a kitten is not a gift for everyone

You will see amazing cats with our cute creatures - children. All this makes you smile. I wish you a good mood and a pleasant viewing:

• rodent

In this category, the choice is wide: mice and rats, rabbits and guinea pigs, hamsters and chinchillas. These are very mobile animals, funny and constantly scurrying around the apartment. It is interesting to watch them. Rats are very distrustful, but if they feel love and affection, they become one of the most faithful. They can sit for hours on the shoulder or in the bosom of their beloved master. Interesting rodents will be to older children from about 8 years old.

• a bird

The most common at home were canaries and parrots. These are funny, beautiful birds, with colorful plumage. Singing canaries creates a festive atmosphere, develops the aesthetic taste of the child. They get along well with a person. Babies of parrots are especially fond of, from small budgies to macaws. The whole family is delighted with the first word spoken by the pet. There is an interest in teaching a parrot to talk, to sit on a hand. For a kid, buying a bird is not worth it; it is better to purchase it for a child of 6 - 8 years old, at a conscious age.

• fish

These pets are more likely to have a psychological effect. Suitable for hyperactive teenagers. They help to imbue calm, contemplation, set up for a pacifying mood. You can watch the fish for hours. But they cannot be played with, they cannot be squeezed.

• turtle

It is an interesting option for any child, starting with a 3-year-old. The turtle is leisurely, but purposeful. It is interesting to feed her, you can come up with games with her, she needs to be walked. The kid can easily look after her for a walk in the yard.

Who is responsible

While the child is small, the responsibility for the care, feeding, health of the animal lies with the parents. And if we take into account the employment of the pope at work, then in the end everything will go to mom.

With the proper upbringing of the child, the mother can gradually share the responsibility with the baby:

• In 2 - 3 years the child has the power to ensure that the pet always has water in the bowl. The sphere of responsibility should expand every year;
• At 5 years old the baby can already feed dog or cat, fish or a parrot at a certain time. Ask the child to wash the drinker or comb the hair of the dog;
• At 7 - 8 years old the child can already completely replace the mother and take responsibility for the pet. At this age, it is useful to read along with him and discuss special literature, watch popular science films about animals.

Old-time animals

A dog or cat, birds or hamsters already live in a young family. How to bring your first-born into the habitat for the animal? How to introduce them to each other? Will the pet be jealous of the baby towards you or your husband?

[sc: rsa]

• The first thing you, as responsible parents, must do is take your four-legged and feathered friends to the vet. Vaccination, getting rid of parasites, checking for the absence of fleas - you must be sure of the health of the animal before you bring the first-born from the hospital;
• Animals divide us into friends and foes with the help of their sense of smell. It is recommended to bring something from the baby’s clothes in advance from the hospital. This will help to avoid stress in the pet when a stranger appears;
• During the first year of the baby's life, it is necessary to protect the access of animals to the baby's room: do not leave the door open, calmly transport the pet out of the nursery. The child still does not understand anything, but the four-legged are very curious. The smell of milk will attract both a dog and a cat. They can accidentally scratch or lick the baby. And we do not need bacteria or microbes. Sometimes on the Internet you can see photographs of where Ryzhik or Barsik settled on the pillow of a sleeping baby. This is the complete irresponsibility of young parents;
• When the child begins to crawl, it is necessary to carefully monitor that it does not come into contact with the bowl or tray of the animal, no matter how clean you wash them. It is very important to work out from a very early age the correct attitude of the child to the animal.

By the year the cohabitation of the child and the pet becomes natural. You already know what to expect from a dog or cat in relation to the baby. Yes, and the child’s habits to pull their tendrils and dig their eyes are known to everyone, including the four-legged.

You have weighed all the arguments, thought out your capabilities, tested your strength and decided to buy a four-legged friend or a feathered friend for the baby. And this is the right choice! Pets and children become true friends, selfless and honest.

Running around and messing around, scattered toys and torn pieces of paper is not a problem, it is just real life. Over time, you will understand that communication with animals is necessary not only for the child, but also for you.

Your house will be cozy and warm, happiness will settle in it.

READ ALSO: Pet for a child: rules of choice and care tips

Funny and cute pets 🙂