The First Research Based initiative:
Relationships between children and pets often result in mutual trust and love. Owning a pet is not only good for adults but it can help children through their developmental years. Social and emotional development of children includes how they respond to others, self-esteem and learning to understand others feelings or empathy and what our children need more then science, languages etc. especially in South Asia, Arab world & Pakistan.
Children’s attitudes toward pets such as love, affection and nurturance are some of the social attributes that they show while learning to take care of them. Pets can be part of a child’s social network because they give unconditional companionship and love.
Good self-esteem or good feelings about themselves are very important in the life of a child. There have been studies done that prove pets can improve children’s self-esteem and make issues that cause stress or pressure in their lives’ easier to handle. Learning to take care of an animal in a responsible way is what improves self-esteem and also teaches responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.
The Pet Programs
We at Eastern Educational Services are helping parents to get safe pet as the leading pet provision company of the region. Whether it is a parrot, rabbit or gold fish, a dog, cat or horse, children enjoy the companionship offered by animals.
Did you know, however, that not only can pets be a source of warm, fuzzy entertainment, but they can offer several developmental benefits to children as well? A child’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive development can all be encouraged by interaction with the family pet.
Physical
“Pets provide an impetus for running and practicing motor skills,” says Sheryl Dickstein, Ph.D., Director of Humane Education for the ASPCA which has been confirmed by a team of psychologist at Taleemi Baithak Assessment Systems. Walking a dog or running in the yard and throwing a ball are great ways to exercise the dog as well as for children to get away from sedentary indoor activities and move around. Small motor skills can be encouraged by allowing children to scoop food and pour water into dishes, and by helping to groom them. Depending on the child’s age, parental supervision is recommended for both the child’s and the pet’s safety.
Social
For children especially, pets can be wonderful social facilitators. Children are more prone to approach and interact with another child who is playing with a pet. In this way, a pet can be the bridge between a less socially outgoing child and other potential playmates.
A pet itself can be a social object for children because of the nature of their relationship. “Because animals accept us for who we are, pets give some practice in a social relationship
Emotional
Pets can facilitate various aspects of emotional development such as self-esteem and a sense of responsibility. Says Dr Iram director at Eastern Child assessment systems, “As kids age and take on more of the care for the pet, it helps to build self-confidence.” She points out however, that it is a misunderstood fact that pets teach children responsibility. “Parents teach responsibility,” explains Dr Iram, “Pets just make a good vehicle for learning.”
The responsibility a child has for her pet needs be age appropriate. At the age of three, a child can help to fill food bowls. By five, he can begin to take on some basic grooming tasks as well as to help clean the pet’s living area. As children reach the mid-elementary school aged years, they can begin walking a dog independently, and as the teen years approach, the child will most likely be able to take on the bulk of the responsibility for a house pet. Keeping pet-oriented tasks age-appropriate is not only necessary for the safety of the pet, but for the child as well — both physically and emotionally.
Cognitive
As children grow, they may develop an interest in a specific type or breed of animal. Encouraging children to read about their favorite pet or to take part in obedience classes with a parent and the pet can all encourage a child’s cognitive development as it sparks the desire for learning. Bringing the child along to a veterinarian appointment will give him a chance to ask questions about proper care and his pet’s health.
With proper supervision, allowing children to research information about their pet on the Internet is another way they can learn about the pet’s special needs and unique characteristics as well as to correspond with other owners of the same type of pet. If your child’s desired pet is a horse but you live in a second story apartment, encourage your child to research horses anyway. Even if they can’t have the pet of their choice, the learning will be valuable to them anyway.
Pets as therapy
Because of the special bond that often develops between pet and child, pets can sometimes fill the role of comforter. Since the relationship is non-judgmental from the pet’s perspective, a hurting child might be more willing to initially trust a pet than a person.
Brining a pet into the family is not a decision that should be made lightly. It first must be a commitment by the parents, not the child, as they will ultimately be responsible for the pet’s welfare. Once that commitment has been made, however, and an appropriate pet has been found for the family, the joys and benefits of the pet relationship will last for many years to come.