In today's world, parents are always searching for ways to make their kids’ lives fun and interesting. While this may include school activities, a new hobby or taking trips here and there, one of the best and easiest ways to improve a kid's life is to let them have a pet. Are dogs good for kids? How can they help your child? This guest article and infographic were written by Emily Parker of Catological.com to explain the benefits of dogs for children (and other pets too!)
Are dogs good for kids? Scientists have actually studied this question, and the answer is an overwhelming yes!
By getting your child a pet, not only do they instantly gain a companion and friend, but they also gain higher levels of self-esteem, self-confidence, and they might even discover their inner entrepreneur. Once a pet becomes a part of your child's life, expect their confidence levels to substantially increase. Based on research studies published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, children who owned pets were found to have much higher levels of self-esteem and self-confidence than children without pets.
According to scientists, this could be attributed to the unconditional love pets gave their young owners. By having a pet who was always there through thick and thin to lend moral support and have a paw to cry on now and then, kids felt much more secure and safe.
Responsibility and the importance of sticking to a regular schedule is also learned quickly, since owning a pet involves a number of tasks that need to be completed each day, such as feeding, grooming, playing, and cleaning. As a result, they not only see how much their pet relies on them for daily care, but also how having a regular schedule with their own activities can make a big difference. From having a regular time to do homework or going to bed at the same time each night, children quickly see the benefits of being responsible.
When starting school, many kids have problems with reading. As a result, they can learn to dread it, which can have a negative impact on other aspects of their schoolwork. One of my favorite answers to the question 'Are dogs good for kids?" is that by having a pet around to read to on a regular basis, all of this can change. According to scientists, a pet that will sit patiently, listen to your child read, and not criticize them when they make a mistake, will in fact help the child gain confidence in their reading abilities. Over time, kids will learn to love reading, all thanks to a patient and attentive pet.
Giving your child a pet may just unleash the inner entrepreneur within your kid. As children spend time walking their dog around the neighborhood, they start to realize they could make a few extra dollars doing the same for other people. Before you know it, you'll look out the window and see your child walking not only their dog, but your neighbor's dogs as well.
Along with dog walking, they may start pet sitting for friends and neighbors or even pick up a hammer and build a doghouse or two to sell. So, by simply giving your child a pet, you may have in fact set the stage for a very successful business career.
To learn even more reasons why pets are so darn good for kids, check out the original graphic and article by Emily Parker at Catological.com.
