Hamster? Dog? Cat? Goldfish? Not only do pets become members of a family, but they are proven to have many benefits for child development. Take Carmen’s pet hamster Honey, who has become an important part of the Circo Fabuloso family!
According to Dr. Gail Gross, there are many benefits of having a pet throughout the developmental stages of your child’s life.
1. Pets teach your children about responsibility
No matter the type of pet your family chooses to take in, there will be an associated responsibility to care for that animal. Whether your child is responsible for feeding the pet, cleaning the pet’s cage, or perhaps taking it for walks, having a pet in your household gives your child the confidence to own the responsibility of caring for an animal.
2. Pets teach your children about empathy
With another living being in the household, your child will learn how to understand and share the feelings of another creature. Kids will begin to pick up on their pet’s emotions. For example, one can tell that a dog is happy when their tail won’t stop wagging, or when they run to the front door when someone comes home. On the contrary, you can tell if an animal is sad when it whimpers every time you run the water for bathtime. Your child will begin to understand these emotions and how to sympathize with a living being.
3. Pets teach your children about unconditional love
For centuries, dogs have been called “a man’s best friend”, the reason for this is unconditional love. The love your child will develop for a pet that they are caring/responsible for, will go way beyond their “love” for a new toy. Pets teach children how to love something without any limitations, expectations or conditions.
Be sure to head on over to @LetsGoLunaHQ on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and tell us an amazing story about you and your pet!
Until our next travel adventure…