Animals with which we share the same world and live a common life have a very important place in children's lives and development.
Young children show interest and compassion to creatures smaller than themselves, regardless of whether they are humans or animals. Behaviors such as realizing that another living being has a place in the world from an early age, showing love and attention to it, feeding it, playing games, etc. provide children with a number of benefits, from positive behavior development to a sense of responsibility, from empathy to socialization.
Pets Feeding animals has a calming effect on children as well as adults. It is effective in developing the waiting and patience skills of children who have mobility and impulsivity problems.
A child who grows up with an animal at home loves and respects other living creatures. He understands that living beings other than himself may also have wants and needs. He/she learns how to respond to the other person's wishes and expectations.
Pets act as siblings and become good playmates for children growing up alone at home. Dogs especially enjoy playing with children and allow the child to experience this pleasure as well. For introverted children who have problems socializing, growing up with a pet at home is also important for the development of the child's socialization skills. In addition, children who are alone at home can talk and commiserate with their pets and share their emotions such as anger, joy, sadness and fear.
Having a pet at home also plays an important role in the development of the child's sense of responsibility. Children can be given tasks related to the care and feeding of the pet in accordance with their age. Preschool children enthusiastically fulfill the task of giving water and food to their pets. In addition to feeding, primary school children can also be given the task of combing their feathers. Older children can also do tasks such as cleaning and walking. Children who fulfill these responsibilities develop a sense of confidence and a sense of being valuable.
Thanks to the animals we keep at home, children are able to cope with future problems such as birth, death, illness, loss and recovery. They learn to cope with life events more easily.
A pet should not be seen as an object that can be bought and sold or abandoned when it is not wanted, and this awareness should be instilled in the child. Otherwise, children may have difficulty accepting the pet as a part of the house.
Children often insist on having an animal at home. Buying a pet just because the child wants it or as a gift negatively affects children's awareness that animals are also living beings, that they will have wants and needs, that they want to receive attention and love, and that they will have their own unique behaviors. For this reason, it would not be right to take a pet into the house only as a result of the child's insistence. Before taking a pet into the house, all family members must be willing, it must be decided which animal will be suitable, and research must be done regarding the care and nutrition of the animal to be purchased.
Sometimes it may not be possible to take a pet home due to health problems or lack of approval from one of the parents. . In such a case, animals living on the streets can be fed to develop a love for animals in the child. Instead of scaring the child with words such as "they bite and scratch", warning them "let's not touch animals we don't know" will be a guide for the child.
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