How does pet ownership affect childhood development?
So many of us grew up with pets and have such fond memories of all the joy they brought to us. But pet ownership is so much more. It affects childhood development, including social, emotional and educational benefits. This guide all of these are explored in detail. There’s also information on how parents can safely introduce a family pet, encourage responsible pet ownership and embrace the role animals play in childhood development.
https://kidadl.com/animal-facts/pets-and-childhood-development-guide
Chapter 1
An introduction to pet ownership
Why do we keep pets?
Common family pets
Number of US households that own a pet by type of animal
Chapter 2
The role of pets in childhood development
Social, emotional and educational benefits
Provide comfort and reassurance
Help with or aid learning and improve confidence
Encourage
nurturing behavior
Build deeper family bonds
Improve health and encourage a healthy lifestyle
Having multiple pets decreases a child’s risk of developing certain allergies
Signs of stress in a pet
Chapter 3
Pets and neurodiverse
What does science say?
Autistic children
Children with ADHD
Neurodiversity and pet companionship
Chapter 4
Advice on getting a family pet
Choosing the right pet for your family
Questions to ask yourself – budget, space, time
Encouraging responsible pet ownership
Article courtesy of Kidadl
Photos courtesy of Unsplash