| Pets can be an important part of a child's life. A | | | | your pet tricks. Note that not all pets are |
| child learns a lot from having an animal to care | | | | conducive to this lesson. |
| for. Just take a look at some of the lessons a | | | | Playing - It's difficult to imagine that some people |
| child (or adult) picks up. Responsibility - This is one | | | | have forgotten how to play, but it's true. Most |
| of the first lessons that comes to mind, and likely | | | | kids don't need to be taught to play, but a pet |
| the one that parents use to try to dissuade a | | | | can remind us that life isn't all about the chores. |
| child when he says, "Can we get a dog?" For | | | | Sometimes it's just time to build a terrific hamster |
| some people, the responsibility of caring for an | | | | cage or take a walk in the park - literally. |
| animal can become a huge chore that outweighs | | | | Science - Some schools are seeing the benefits of |
| the joy of having that pet. But for those who | | | | having live animals in the classrooms. Teachers |
| stick it out, the pet is a good teacher and children | | | | are encouraged to choose a pet that can live at |
| who have a pet from an early age learn quickly | | | | school in a cage of some sort. Those animals can |
| about the responsibility of caring for an animal | | | | then be used to teach life science, including topics |
| that's dependent on them for food, water and | | | | such as length of gestation, development and |
| other needs. | | | | eating habits. While those lessons are very limited |
| Some chores are fun, some aren't - The early | | | | in focus because students are learning about one |
| days of having a pet are usually not that difficult, | | | | particular kind of animal, expanding on that |
| until Fido doesn't make it to the door or the gerbil | | | | first-hand knowledge tends to be easier than if |
| cage has to be cleaned. That's when the pet | | | | students learned only from a text book and |
| owner typically begins to weigh the fun of playing | | | | photos. |
| ball with the dog against the chore they're facing | | | | There's no doubt that allowing a child to adopt a |
| now. Learning that some of the chores are fun | | | | pet is a big step, but it's also a worthwhile |
| (like playing with the kitten) and some aren't | | | | investment. Remember to choose age |
| (cleaning the litter box) is a fact of life. | | | | appropriate animals and to select an animal that |
| Caring - Nurturing is not an instinct that comes | | | | fits your child's lifestyle and personality. For |
| naturally to all people. Pets are one way to teach | | | | example, if you have a kid who's always into |
| that trait, or to bring it to the surface. Many | | | | building, consider a mouse or hamster and help |
| programs around the world use pets in daycares, | | | | him build an awesome hamster cage in his room. |
| schools and nursing homes. People who have | | | | If you live in the country with room for a dog to |
| responded little to friends and families will | | | | run, a canine pal may be the better bet. If space |
| instinctively reach for a dog or cat. | | | | is very limited, hermit crabs may be just what |
| Patience - Pets teach us to be patience, and one | | | | you need. |
| of the best catalysts for this lesson is by teaching | | | | |