(Newser)
– Parents of preschoolers can think about adding a dog to the family. A new study from Australia suggests that young children develop better social and emotional skills if they have a dog, reports Yahoo News. The study, which was based on data from a comprehensive survey of Australian families, examined children ages 2 to 5. The researchers found that children whose family had a dog were 23% less likely to have problems with social interactions and emotions than children of dogs. fewer homes, by Medical Xpress. They were also 30% less likely to exhibit antisocial behavior, 40% less likely to have trouble interacting with their peers, and 34% plus It is likely to display behavior considered sharing.
“While we hoped that dog ownership would provide some well-being benefits for young children, we were surprised that the mere presence of a family dog was associated with many positive behaviors and emotions,” said study author Hayley Christian of the Center for Children’s Health. Research at the University of Western Australia. An assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan who was not involved in the study says spending time with a dog may help a child learn empathy. “You have to work to read what your dog thinks and respond to its behavior,” Dr. Jenny Radesky told CNN. “That takes kids out of their headspace and thinks more about what another being thinks.” (This dog is being hailed as a hero in Tennessee.)
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