Having pets at home not only brings unlimited love from them but also has fantastic benefits on children’s social and emotional intelligence. Children may develop empathy for their pets and others when they experience pet ownership. Taking care of a living being is a big responsibility. Small participation, such as brushing the fur or filling up the pet’s food bowl, creates an emotional connection and develops empathy. Taking care of their pet also brings a sense of responsibility, and by fulfilling this responsibility, children eventually fill up their bucket of self-esteem.
Children also learn to understand their pets’ non-verbal cues, such as waggling tails. Children’s affection may help them to tune in with their pet’s support in learning the meaning-making of body gestures.
Pet ownership also supports language development in children as they talk with pets to encourage, sympathize or praise.
Adult’s expectations of children to be kind and gentle with pets opens the door to practicing nursing skills. Pets can make children laugh and play.
In a study, children frequently named their pets in reply to a question about who they tell their problems. According to a research study, practicing pet ownership by age seven may help children with emotional problems, peer issues and social behaviours.
Emotional intelligence and Books Reading
aloud during early years supports emotional intelligence in children and extends their knowledge of feelings, emotions, and behavioural consequences. Parents or educators can introduce a new vocabulary or scenario of feelings and emotions to children during book reading or storytelling. For example, words like nervous, fearful or brave fit well with the theme of vaccination or visiting the doctor.
During book reading, asking questions about storybook characters makes children think of how to respond in a parallel situation with their range of emotions.
It is also important to use developmentally appropriate language to explain the expressive words for feelings and emotions to children.
Books on Emotional Intelligence
Teenie Winnie in a Too Big World: by Margot Sandler. This storybook of fearful children is available at the Calgary public library.
Momo and Snap are not Friends: a book by Anderson, A. It is an award-winning wordless book with pictures and grunts. It is a story about a competitive relationship between crocodiles and monkeys that turns into a supportive relationship.
A Puppy in My Head: a book by Elsie Gravel. A book to read with children about the story that teaches practicing mindfulness step by step.
Mae’s First Day of School by Kate Berube is a storybook available at the Calgary public library. This book is about a girl who is scared to go to school but seems to enjoy her school once she is in school.
My Books of Feelings by Tracey Ross: A picture book available at the Calgary public library for preschoolers with simple language that helps children understand their emotions related to attachment difficulties.
Calm-down Time by Verdick, Elizabeth: A book for children under five gently reassures them to express their emotions. This board book has many copies available at the Calgary public library.
The Crayons Book of feelings by Drew Daywalt: A fun board book available At Calgary public library. This book can be helpful for preschoolers to understand and express their feelings.
