Parenta Magazine December 2023 (smaller)

How furry friends
transform early years
Britain, renowned for its love of animals,
showers nearly £10 million a year on
our beloved pets, a testament to our
nation’s deep affinity for furry (and not
furry!) companions. A staggering 57% of
households in the UK welcome creatures
as pets into their homes, adding up to a
whopping 38 million pets nationwide. The
joy and happiness they bring resonate in
the hearts of children and families across
the country.
The wonders of having pets extend far
beyond companionship, with numerous
documented benefits. Imagine the
possibilities for the children in your care
as you advocate for the magic of pet
ownership. Whether you encourage your
little ones’ families and friends to embrace
the joy of pets or contemplate bringing
some into your setting, you’re not just
fostering relationships with animals –
you’re unlocking a world of transformation
for the early years.
The benefits
Some of the benefits for children include:
Immune systems and educational
attendance
Studies suggest that children who keep
pets at home have stronger immune
systems and show higher attendance
rates at school. In some studies, children
who have pets at home were less likely to
develop allergies and asthma.
Comfort and support
Pets can give physical and emotional
support when we are feeling at our lowest
– many people believe they intrinsically
know when we are going through a
bad time and can recognise this. They
can help children develop empathy
and understanding about non-verbal
communication, and children can learn to
self-regulate their own emotions by caring
for pets.
Loyalty and friendship
Pets can make the most loyal friends; they
never judge you and will listen to your
problems for hours on end.
Reduced anxiety and improved
mental health
Pet ownership has been shown to reduce
anxiety and depression in children, reduce
stress and improve symptoms of PTSD.
Some charities use animals such as horses
and dogs as therapy to help improve
mental health in children.
Life lessons
Pets can help teach people about the life
cycle and how to care for other sentient
beings. They can also be the first occasion
that children experience loss and grief but
if this is the case, children will need careful
support to guide them through the loss of
a beloved pet.
Links to natural science
Animals can help teach about the natural
world, different environments, and
habitats, and be an introduction to the
natural sciences.
Teaching children how to nurture
Learning how to care for a pet helps
children understand responsibility, the
needs of others, and the role we all have
in creating a compassionate world where
everyone can thrive.
Self-discipline and the value of
routine
Looking after a pet can also help children
learn about self-discipline because they
may have to feed the pet or clean its cage
at various times. This will depend on the
age of the children involved as adults will
need to teach and oversee the processes
to ensure the safety of the pets and the
children.
Cognitive development
Research from Proresky et al made
an association between the bond that
children have with their pets and improved
cognitive development. It has also been
suggested that owning a pet can help
facilitate language acquisition and
enhance children’s verbal skills.
How to introduce pets
into your setting
If you want to introduce a pet or pets
into your setting, then it must be done
properly because it is not without risk.
However, with careful planning, governor/
staff and parent buy-in, and robust risk
assessments, the benefits will far outweigh
any potential disadvantages.
Some of the things that you might need to
consider include: