Pawsitivity: How Pets Help Boost Children’s Self-Esteem

by Blog Contributor | March 23, 2024 | Children’s Books, Pets | 0

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Parents are encouraged to let kids adopt animals for a primary reason: responsibility. But there’s an overlooked benefit: pets help boost children’s self-esteem, too.

The decision to adopt pets is commonly supported by two different reasons. For children, it’s as simple as wanting furry companions because they’re adorable and a fun source of entertainment. But for parents, it’s because of the added responsibility and company that help children develop.

This motivation can be read in most children’s books with animals as protagonists. For instance, Bing by Sarah Gourd follows an injured baby duck as he gets saved and adopted into a family. Although ducks can be relatively challenging to care for, the parents in the story don’t have any complaints because they’re aware of the possible happiness this brings to their child.

Sure, bringing in a pet can cause headaches and wreak havoc on the household. However, this chaos may also give children opportunities to learn and grow.

The Tie-up Between Children And Animals

Pets have a massively positive impact on children’s lives. Their presence does not simply boost the household’s energy. Instead, their influence runs deeper, affecting children’s long-term well-being and mental health. Even before they’re fully aware of the impact their surroundings provide, children may already be benefiting from simple interactions.

Many parents may still be unaware of the many physical and mental benefits these animals provide to their unknowing children. They may be focused on training responsibility and overlook how pets help boost children’s self-esteem. While knowing this doesn’t negatively impact their decisions to adopt, it encourages them to continue opening their minds and arms to such actions.

Pets Provide A Sense Of Comfort And Warmth

Pets may not communicate and have a rather limited range of movement compared to humans, but they have evolved to be attuned to humans and their emotions. This is especially true for pets who have formed a close bond with their humans. Animals are smart. They can understand basic gestures and behaviors. But when they’ve been exposed to people for so long, they may begin to act like human friends.

It may not seem like it, but pets understand human emotion. They can interpret children’s feelings through tone, body language, or gestures. Pets may also gaze into their eyes to gauge their emotional state. Through these, they can help alleviate stress and sadness through their playfulness.

There’s no questioning the unconditional love tying humans with animals. But aside from this bond, what can pets provide children?

Pets Help Boost Children’s Self-Esteem Among Others

Among the fantastic benefits pets bring, their ability to improve self-esteem is the least acknowledged or explored. After all, when they’re simply playing together and spending time indoors, how do pets help boost children’s self-esteem? The answer is simple: when children feel loved and needed, which pets will allow them to, they develop confidence in themselves.

Self-esteem is built when children feel like they’re doing something good and worthwhile. They become more outgoing when they see other people smiling or laughing with them. Hence, children become more conscientious and confident while playing with pets. They feel appreciated by their companions and accepted for what they can provide.

On the other hand, pets help boost children’s self-esteem by acting as emotional support when they need a shoulder to vent out instead of feeling lost regarding where to express their frustrations. While pets may not advise them, they can provide comfort and redirection of energy for children. All of these lead to better well-being for them, which boosts their self-confidence.

It may seem unlikely that playtime with pets helps boost children’s self-esteem. But depending on how they interact, numerous wonderful benefits can be sowed from such relationships. The more positivity these animals bring to children’s routines, the more fulfilled and satisfied they will be in life. Hence, they not only provide fun and entertainment, but pets also have a profound and meaningful impact on children’s lives.