Bremen. Growing up with a dog or not: does it make a difference in terms of socio-emotional development? A Spanish study says yes – very clearly and for girls and boys alike.
Dogs and children often understand each other intuitively. The four-legged playmates not only have a motivating and mobilizing effect on the youngest children. They also encourage you to open up and communicate more. No wonder that therapists in a wide variety of fields such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, but also psychology and psychiatry rely on appropriately trained dogs as co-therapists. In school settings, children and young people also benefit from dogs that are either present in class or are actively involved in individual lessons. In special education classes, the four-legged friends listen patiently while the students practice reading aloud or doing mental arithmetic – in a small setting, without the risk of other children making fun of them. Because a friendly dog doesn't judge, doesn't laugh and is happy about any attention.
Family dogs fulfill tasks in everyday life
Given these numerous scientifically proven positive effects of dog contact on children, it stands to reason that the animals not only have an impact in a therapeutic and educational context. Dogs also take on various tasks in everyday life as social partners, playmates, listeners, learning aides or sports buddies. A team of researchers led by behavioral and developmental psychologist Jorge-Manuel Dueñas from the University of Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain, therefore investigated the question of whether living with a family dog can influence how children develop in the long term.
Dogs make you socially competent
The researchers particularly examined the socio-emotional development of children, specifically in relation to the pet dog factor. It was also examined whether there are differences between girls and boys. 120 children between the ages of three and five took part in the study – half of them had a dog in the family, the other half did not.
All children were clinically assessed as to which socio-emotional developmental milestones the children had reached at different points in time – for example, in terms of self-image or their own social role. In addition, acquired skills such as the ability to work in a team or expressing feelings and inclinations were examined.
The study, the results of which were published in the “Journal of Child and Family Studies”, clearly showed that dogs have an influence on child development. The girls and boys with a dog at home were more advanced in all factors examined.
Further research is welcome
“These results encourage discussion and further research on the relationships between dogs and people,” concludes study leader Dueñas. “It would be interesting to analyze what interaction there is with other social, family and personal variables and whether the differences during adolescence are maintained into adulthood.”
Source: Pet Animals in Society Research Group