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