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