Tips To Teach Young Children to Care for a Pet
When pets come into a home, they become a part of the family. Whether it is a rabbit, hamster, cat or dog, pets provide companionship and unconditional love. Kids and pets is a combination that also underscores an opportunity to learn how to be more responsible. This is especially true for younger children, who may not have many other avenues to learn accountability.
Consider these tips on how to teach young children to care for a pet.
Choose an Appropriate Pet
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends choosing an age-appropriate pet for families with young children. For instance, families with children under the age of 5 should avoid reptiles or rodents as pets for sanitary purposes.
This is one of the reasons that cats and dogs are among the most common family pets. Fish are also ideal pets for homes with younger children because they can help with feeding and cleaning.
Make Pet Care A Family Endeavor
According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, young children don’t have the impulse control to care for pets on their own. So, make pet care a family endeavor. Enlist the help of everyone to work on pet-related tasks.
Caring for pets together models good pet care habits for young children without leaving them to their own devices.
Create a Care Chart
Create a pet responsibility chart and display it in a high-traffic area of the home. Include feeding schedules, cleaning and other points of care. Assign tasks to each member of the family, so that young children learn caring for a pet is a group effort. Dog training is part of the responsibilities of a pet owner. One of the ways to make dog training effective is by giving them yummy healthy treats such as bully sticks. It’s a reward system that will help your dog behave in a well-trained manner.
To encourage kids to participate, you might also offer rewards for extra effort.
Assign Tasks by Age
Tasks for young children and pets should be assigned by age. For instance, kids between the ages of four and five can give pets treats and help feed the pets. Whether they are pouring a scoop of kibble into the dog’s bowl or feeding small dubia roaches to the family reptile, getting kids involved in the feeding process can be a great way to introduce them to day-to-day responsibility. Remember, though, when assigning tasks, you should also consider the child’s maturity level in addition to their age.
Remind Children of Their Responsibilities If They Drop The Ball
It is not uncommon for children to shirk their responsibilities when it comes to household tasks, including those related to pet care. Offer gentle reminders to children if they drop the ball on caring for family pets.
This will not only promote accountability, but also, it will teach them the importance of following through on commitment.
Set a Good Example
One of the best ways to teach young childrens how to properly help with pet care is through modeling good behaviors. Encourage the entire family to engage in responsible tenets of pet care to be an example for younger children.
