Most children are very fond of animals, and at some point there is a request to have their own pet. But the appearance of a pet does not always go smoothly. What do you need to know for a child and an animal to become friends?
Pet preparation
Many couples already have pets by the time they have a baby. Cats, dogs, birds or fish - any animal needs to be prepared for the fact that the family will soon be replenished. Both a small child and an animal can, through inexperience, harm each other, so you need to try to avoid this as much as possible. To do this, you need to rearrange the pet's cage, house, aquarium in a place inaccessible to the child. If the animal moves freely around the house, then you need to try to train it to avoid places where it can come into contact with the child, such as a bed and a table. It is also necessary to understand how the animal will react to various touches, to test, slightly twitch the pet by the legs and tail - so it will be clear how he will react to the child's touches.
First meeting
The child should be told in advance how to behave with the animal and what to avoid. The child should not be allowed to be cruel to the pet, but if this does happen, then it is necessary to explain to the child that such actions are harmful to the health of the animal. Involving the child in the daily care of the pet will help the child to feel better that the animal is not a toy, but a living creature with its own needs.
Choosing a pet
The first step is to understand what the child wants. To do this, you can go to a zoo or an animal exhibition, and see which animals the child will show the greatest interest in. You must also clearly understand that there are animals that can be dangerous to a child. There are especially aggressive dog breeds and poisonous exotic animals. You should also take into account the life expectancy of the future pet - it is better to take a small animal so that it can grow with the child.
Influence of animals on children
Provided that both the child and the animals are prepared for the meeting, the appearance of the pet is a great joy for the baby and his family. Observing an animal adds a new common interest to the family, there are joint games with the pet, taking care of it, a desire to please a new family member with something. The child should be made aware that, although the animal is bought into the family, it is the child himself who becomes the owner of the pet. It is his care and attention for the animal that is most important. Having your own pet will awaken responsibility and empathy in your child.
In order for the child not to lose interest in the pet, he should spend more time with the pet. This can be active walks or games at home, you can try to teach the animal commands. If this is a pet that you won't be able to spend time with actively, then it is worth reading your child stories about such animals or watching documentaries.
If these recommendations are followed, the pet will become a real friend of the child, and will bring him and the rest of the family great joy.
