Children benefit in many ways from owning a pet. Pets can provide many opportunities that help them grow their emotional intelligence as well as teaching practical life skills, fostering independence and seeing what commitment means firsthand. Because pets communicate without language, children observe nonverbal communication and can develop empathy and ability to respond to the feelings of others.
Toddlers are at a stage where they play rough with pets; preschool age children like to pet the animal over and over. By the time a child is five or six, you begin to see more sophisticated, gentle behaviors, such as hugging and massaging. Responsibility along with patience, duty, and even sacrifice can be developed in a deeper way with pet ownership.
Children are typically on the receiving end of their care and strive for independence. Caring for a pet places them in the role of provider and allows for role-playing actions that will be required of them as they grow older and become more autonomous.
While the loss of a pet is always sad, it is inevitable due to its shorter life span. It is important not to shield a child from the grief associated with losing a pet because it is an opportunity to learn to let go, deal with loss, and move on. Children learn that the feeling of love remains forever after the pet has departed, and this experience brings home the abstract concept and the durability of love.
Christina Miller, Owner/Head of School
Millhopper Montessori School
Serving Gainesville families since 1977
www.millhopper.com
Call to schedule a tour: (352) 375-6773