If you have animals at home, then from the first months of a child's life, you can lay the foundation for communication with them. The baby will definitely pay attention to the cat or dog, will pull the handles to the guinea pig. By encouraging the child's craving for animals, we cultivate love for them, and through it - responsibility and desire to care for the animal. And not vice versa. If the baby likes to take care of animals, then, by and large, it is not so important how skillfully he will do it. You can always control it and help.
Infect by example
Explain to your baby that animals, like us, need food, water, a corner to sleep, and a place for a toilet. If the child is very small, you can show how you feed the pet by commenting on your actions. Give your child a treat and offer to treat to a hamster or cat. Make sure that the animal does not bite.
Clean the pet's cage, litter box in front of your child. Do not do it secretly, do not overly patronize the baby, protecting him from odors and possible germs. Smile and draw his attention to how the pet is happy with the cleanliness and order.
It is very curious to clean the ears and trim the claws of the pet animal together with the child. Let the kid serve cotton swabs, scissors - he will like to be involved in hygiene procedures.
Trust your child. But check
To begin with, entrust him with a number of simple, but regular duties: monitor the purity of the water in the drinking bowl, sweep the spilled food. Give your baby an individual small broom and a cloth, he will be proud to perform his duties "like an adult". Explain to your child that animals are friends, and it depends on us how comfortable and fun they will be.
As your child grows up, assign more and more to him. Carefully weigh your child's physical and psychological readiness to care for the animal. Observe how responsibly and skillfully the baby approaches his duties, whether the level of comfort of the animal's living does not decrease.
It is better not to entrust the child with some important activities Let brushing the teeth of the dog and bathing the guinea pig, nevertheless, remain yours.
Never give cage cleaning or cleaning the litter box as a punishment, nor do you promise a puppy or a canary as a prize for a five. The child should realize that the animal is not a bargaining chip for your parenting methods and not a toy.
No matter how responsible your child is, never let such an important thing as caring for an animal go by itself. Check if your pet has enough food, if the toilet is not overflowing. If you notice that the kid is lazy to do something, invite him to do it together. If the animal regularly starves, and the stench spreads through the apartment - well, the child is not coping with the task, you will have to do everything yourself. Do not shame the child, do not punish. Don't leave your pet hungry as a matter of principle. Wait a while, then gently offer the child some simpler responsibilities. Promise him your help and support.
