The influence of animals on the development of children
Open accessAbstract
There is a widespread belief that interaction with an animal is beneficial for the development of children, and several studies (most with methodological shortcomings) have investigated the influence of (companion) animals on the social-emotional and cognitive development of children. In this article, the 1984 model of Professor Jay Belsky has been used to describe which variables influence the development of children and how the companion animal-child interaction influences these variables. The value of the AAA/AAT (Animal Assisted Activities/Animal Assisted Therapy) programmes in children with a wide variety of clinical and social problems, such as behaviour problems and autistic spectrum symptoms, is discussed. The findings suggest that (companion) animals positively influence children's development and have a valuable role in therapy.
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There is evidence of an association between pet ownership and educational and cognitive benefits, increased social competence, social networks, social interaction, and social play behavior.
“There is evidence of an association between pet ownership and educational and cognitive benefits, increased social competence, social networks, social interaction, and social play behavior [43,44].”
From A One Health Perspective on the Human-Companion Animal Relationship with Emphasis on Zoonotic Aspects. (2020) · cites this paper as [43]
A wide range of emotional health benefits from childhood pet ownership has been identified, particularly for those suffering from low self-esteem and loneliness.
“Finally, a wide range of emotional health benefits from childhood pet ownership has been identified, particularly for those suffering from low self-esteem and loneliness.”
From A One Health Perspective on the Human-Companion Animal Relationship with Emphasis on Zoonotic Aspects. (2020) · cites this paper as [43]
Cites
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Overgaauw, P. A. M., Vinke, C. M., van Hagen, M. A. E., & Lipman, L. J. A. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17113789 · Cited by 301 · see citing works
“There is evidence of an association between pet ownership and educational and cognitive benefits, increased social competence, social networks, social interaction, and social play behavior [43,44].”
BackgroundCompanion Animals and Child/Adolescent Development: A Systematic Review of the Evidence
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Baby schema in human and animal faces induces cuteness perception and gaze allocation in children
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- Authors
- Endenburg, N., & van Lith, H. A.
- Affiliations
- Utrecht University (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Endenburg, Nienke
- ORCID
- Endenburg, Nienke
- Venue
- The Veterinary Journal
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2011-11
- Volume
- 190
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 208-214
- ISSN
- 1090-0233 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2030219240
- Cited by
- 153
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 0.71
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- The Veterinary Journal (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Therapy and Development
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Keywords
- companion animals, human-animal interaction, child development, social-emotional development, cognitive development, animal-assisted activities, animal-assisted therapy, behavioral problems
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Human-Animal Bond, Child, Child Behavior Disorders, Child Development, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Humans, Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders, Animal Assisted Therapy
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