Pets and Learning

by Irene Helen Zundel

Pets are not just cute and cuddly. According to Robert Poresky, a renowned sociologist at Kansas State University, they can also boost a child’s cognitive development, teach empathy and responsibility, and raise overall IQ scores.

Eighty eight households with pets and children ranging from three to six years of age, were studied for a five year period. Parents filled out questionairres and had in-home evaluators conduct interviews about the kind and amount of interaction children had with their furry friends. The results showed that the more children interacted with their pets, the greater the impact was on the child’s development.

“One of the things an animal does with a child is to help give the child an understanding of the world from the pet’s viewpoint. That factor may stimulate cognitive development, which in turn can boost IQ scores,” Poresky said.

What are the benefits of pet ownership? What age should children be allowed to have pets? And how do you select the right pet for your child? Here are a few facts and tips that you should know:

There are many ways pet ownership enhances the social development and learning experience of children. Here are just a few areas of improvement:

Increased empathy for both animals and humans

Understanding of behavioral traits such as loyalty, unconditional love, comfort, and companionship

Increased sense of responsibility for providing the needs of others

Enhanced levels of self-esteem

Greater patience and perseverance from teaching pets to obey and perform tricks

Improved emotional openness from children learning to tell their problems to their pets

How early should children be allowed to have pets?

Toddlers are able to bond with small animals, but don’t begin to show empathy for a pet until they are past the age of three.

Between the ages of 3 and 6, children interact well with animals, but are too immature to handle the daily responsibilities of pet care.

Between 6 and 8, children do well at feeding and grooming chores, and emotionally can appreciate the love and acceptance that pets can give them.

Introducing pets into a home with small children works best when parents are the consistent caretakers of the animals, and can oversee the interaction between pet and child.

While dogs and cats are the hands-down favorites in most homes, other pets make good companion animals as well. The key is to choose an animal that your child can easily interact with. Overall, you should select a pet that is:

relatively calm and well behaved

a breed known to interact well with children

an appropriate size for the age of the child

responsive to human interaction

inclined to cuddle and show warmth and affection

For more information about the positive effects of pets on families read:

The Healing Power of Pets

Dr. Marty Becker

Hyperion Books, 2002