There are so many benefits that pets provide for kids! While this may not be the right time for you to have a pet at home, the children at Healthy Toddlers Care have this experience every day at school. Yes, we have chickens and turtles onsite! And ducks, chicks and frogs are coming soon!
By giving our students responsibility for the care of our pets, they learn about the importance of daily and weekly routines. These routines include feeding, cleaning and maintaining a safe environment for our pets. In addition to teaching responsibility, pets enhance our program because:
- Interacting with animals helps children develop impulse control, social skills and self-esteem.
- Nurturing a pet is a comfortable way to "parent play"—to practice being caregivers.
- Cuddling a pet can reduce a child’s stress, loneliness and anxiety.