B.children and animals. If this combination makes you think about constant requests from your children about adopting a dog or cat, perhaps the following will be particularly helpful to you. Because, if up to now you have tried to avoid the constant pressing or to postpone the decision until tomorrow (quite far away), it may be time to change your mind.
Having a pet, indeed, requires many sacrifices, but it also ensures children a series of important benefits for their physical and mental health. A few examples? Growing up with a pet helps children to achieve greater emotional stabilityto improve thelanguage acquisition and even a prevent the risk of obesity. All benefits that are revealed particularly valuable in this period where children are still experiencing the difficulties caused by the pandemic.
Between scientific research, new perspectives and some recommendations for making an informed choice, here is everything that is useful to know for to (finally) consider adopting a pet.
Children and animals: help at school too
A survey commissioned by Purine and carried out byNational Observatory on Educational Impact, whose mission is to study the educational dynamics in order to detect the needs and requirements of the subjects involved in the school world. The Observatory consulted a sample made up of 400 primary school teachers, operating throughout the national territory. Target? Investigate the relationship between pupils and pets through a particular point of viewor that of teachers who daily confront the little ones in the classrooms.
Teachers also stress the value of pet care
The result of the survey left no room for doubt: the 91% of respondentsthat is, almost all of the sample, believes that r can be fundamental for a growing childelationarsi with an animal pet. Not only that, the 93% of respondents found It is useful to deepen the theme of animal care at school in a perspective of awareness and responsibility towards them. In addition, for 73% of teachers the The theme of animals is also useful as a starting point for dealing with important topics with your pupils among which, civic education, affectivity but also diversity, inclusion and sustainability.
By playing you learn how to take care of animals
The survey is linked to the educational project “At Petcare’s school”, conceived in 2004 by Purina with the aim of promoting responsible pet ownership among the little ones. The initiative is now proposed in one new digital look thanks to the collaboration with Pleiadesa reality engaged in the field of scientific dissemination.
Among the available contents, also a fun virtual game through which children can learn to take care of pets in a conscious way.
Children and animals: the health benefits
The benefits for children of the sharing time with a four-legged friend they are indeed many and have been the subject of several in recent years Scientific studies. Among these, research Pets and Children published onAmerican Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. According to the researchers, it development of positive feelings towards pets can in fact contribute to improve children’s self-esteem and self-confidence. But not only: growing up with an animal helps to develop the non-verbal communication and empathy and last but not least it provides children important lessons about life and those issues – as reproduction, birth, disease, death or bereavement – which parents often struggle to deal with.
Pet care: a help even for difficult emotions
As underlined by the indications made available to parents by the experts of the‘Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospitalhaving a pet would help the children too acquire greater emotional stability. The explanation is simple: little ones tend to projecting one’s anxieties and fears onto the animal and this transfer of emotions can have a very positive effect on their psyche.
Children and animals: an aid also in the prevention of obesity
To the psychological benefits of pet care, there are also unsuspected positive effects on the physical level. Recently there has been a lot of talk about how the pandemic took place an important impact also on children’s obesity rates. The alarm was raised last October there Italian Society of Pediatrics who underlined how the risk of overweight for Italian children and adolescents had drastically increased with the health emergency. Well, in addition to the correct eating habits and healthy lifestyleswhich remain the main tool to prevent the risk of obesity, today we know that a help could also come from being close to a pet.
Canadian research
According to one Canadian research published in the magazine Microbiome Journalin fact, children who grow up in the company of a dog would have less chance of developing allergies and obesity. According to the study, there is some evidence that pets are capable of also alter the microbial composition intestinal of children. Specifically, the research showed that exposure to pets increased the abundance of two bacteria, Ruminococcus and Oscillospira, which are negatively associated with childhood atopy and obesity.
To the results achieved by this study, a a fact now confirmed by many experts. Having a pet brings physical benefits to children as well stimulates motor activitycountering the sedentary lifestyle which, especially in recent years, has severely tested the health of the little ones.
Pet care and children: the recommendations to keep in mind
If it is true that adopting a puppy can therefore have many benefits, before involving the children in this very special adventure, it is good that mom and dad keep a few in mind rules. Some have been highlighted precisely byAmerican Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Very young children, i.e. those of age less than 3-4 years, they must always be monitored when they are with pets. The reason? They do not yet have the maturity to control their aggressive impulses. In general children under 10 may not, according to experts, be able to take care of a large animal, such as a cat or dog on their own, and is therefore supervision is always necessary of an adult. It is also important teach children in a kind way, avoiding reproachesthat animals, like people, need food, water and exercise. Finally, never forget that little ones learn to handle a pet responsibly especially by observing the parental behavior. Leading by example is therefore essential.
… And the diseases?
The fear that the puppy may spread is also often restraining parents in the decision to adopt a pet illnesses. According to the guidelines indicated by theBambino Gesù Pediatric Hospitalhowever, the risks are minimal if a few key rules are followed. It is good to dedicate the maximum attention to house cleaning and hygiene how to take care of the health and cleanliness of Fido. Vaccinations and vet checks, of course, essential measures remain. Are you convinced? In the gallery above we collected 10 good reasons to comply with children’s requests and adopt a four-legged friend.
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