| Little kids see them everywhere... in the | | | | things that hurt others. Caring for a pet is the |
| neighborhood, on play dates with friends, in | | | | perfect opportunity for toddlers to learn kindness |
| pre-school, and in mall pet shops. Puppies, kittens, | | | | and tolerance. |
| guinea pigs, hamsters, fish, birds, rabbits, gerbils - | | | | - Pets are a lot of fun! Toddlers are endlessly |
| there's an unlimited supply of animal companions for | | | | fascinated watching hamsters run on their wheel, the |
| children and adults alike. Eventually your toddler is | | | | crazy antics of ferrets, the playfulness of puppies |
| going to utter those dreaded words, "Daddy, can I | | | | and kittens, the graceful movements of goldfish, and |
| have ..." Then you'll have a difficult decision to make: | | | | the chattering of birds. Having a pet is not only great |
| is your child ready to have a pet? | | | | fun, but pets also provide valuable knowledge about |
| Child development experts have long believed that | | | | the way real-life animals function in the world. With |
| children should have exposure to household pet | | | | puppies, they find the only unconditional source of |
| companions. Having a pet has many advantages: | | | | love in their lives. |
| - Pets teach children about the existence of other | | | | If you think your toddler is ready to care for a pet, |
| living creatures first-hand rather than on television. | | | | first consider what kind of pet is appropriate for your |
| - Pets help children understand nature's ways and the | | | | child's age, degree of understanding how to care for |
| authentic natural world rather than animated cartoons | | | | the pet, and the child's comprehension that these are |
| where all the animals, predators and prey, get along | | | | living creatures that need daily care. For example, it |
| famously. Nice, but it teaches a false perception of | | | | would not be appropriate for a toddler to care for a |
| the ways of the animal kingdom. Perhaps your | | | | large hookbill parrot such as a Macaw or African Grey. |
| toddler is not ready to watch the National Geographic | | | | These talkative birds live a human lifespan, require |
| channel where predators mercilessly run down their | | | | special care, and have unpredictable natures; they can |
| prey and eat them alive. But the misconceptions of | | | | snap off a curious child's finger in seconds! These |
| movies such as "The Lion King" don't prepare your | | | | birds are pets for adults, not children. If you feel your |
| child for the real cycle of life. | | | | child is ready for a puppy, remember that the puppy |
| - Owning and caring for a pet teaches your child | | | | will grow into a full-sized dog. Dogs known for |
| responsibility and accountability. Fish die when they | | | | aggressive temperaments such as American Pit Bull |
| aren't fed. Hamsters squeal in pain if they're | | | | Terriers, Rotweilers, Chows, and Akitas aren't good |
| squeezed. Puppies have housebreaking accidents that | | | | choices for a toddler. Good-natured dogs like |
| need to be cleaned up. Animals aren't like stuffed | | | | Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Dachshunds, Poodles, |
| Teddy bears; they need food, water, veterinary | | | | and spaniels are a much better choice. |
| care, and a clean environment. | | | | Not ready for puppies and kittens? Fish, guinea pigs |
| - Pets die. Children often have their first brush with | | | | and hamsters make outstanding first pets. Children |
| death and grief when a beloved pet dies or must be | | | | learn to feed them, clean their environments, interact |
| euthanized. Understanding a pet's death is a dress | | | | with them carefully and gently, and they provide |
| rehearsal for the death of Grandmother or Uncle Bob. | | | | hours of fun. Parakeets are also good choices; their |
| Coping with death is an important part of a child's | | | | bright colors and cheerful chattering are interesting |
| socialization. | | | | and entertaining for a small child. |
| - Having a pet teaches toddlers the essential skill of | | | | Pets can enrich your child's life and teach many |
| empathy with other people and with animals. At this | | | | valuable lessons. If you believe your child is ready for |
| age, children should be developing a sense of | | | | a pet, choose carefully and teach your child how to |
| compassion and emotional intimacy with others. This | | | | care for another living creature. Pets are wonderful |
| is how they learn to make friends and to avoid doing | | | | teachers! |