The Impact of Animals on Children’s Development
The Power of Animals: Many people, including myself, have noticed that something unique happens when children are around animals. They become calmer, more curious, and experience increased joy. But can we harness children's natural fascination with animals to create meaningful classroom experiences? Are these interactions truly beneficial for children’s growth and development? And if it’s not possible to have animals in the classroom, can educators still provide children with meaningful connections to animals?
Animals and Their Role in Children’s Growth: From my experience and supported by research, animals can play a significant role in helping children develop empathy, offering comfort, and even providing a comfortable space for children to show their thoughts and emotions. They give children the chance to practice social skills, nurture others, and explore the concepts of power and vulnerability.
It’s clear that animals have a profound effect on children. Adults often recognize that animals spark not only intellectual curiosity but also deep emotional responses. For example, the joy children feel when they see a chipmunk, a family of ducklings, or a butterfly flutter by is undeniable. Similarly, while a group of wasps might scare children during a picnic, a cute puppy can bring instant delight.
It’s evident that animals are truly special to children. Even the shyest child will open up when asked about their favorite animal, often sharing stories of their pets or memorable encounters with animals in the wild. This highlights how significant animals are in children's lives.
Children's Innate Need for Connection: Many people may be familiar with the concept of the biophilia hypothesis, introduced by biologist Edward O. Wilson in 1984. This theory suggests that humans have an intrinsic connection to other living things, including plants and animals, due to our shared need for companionship. Early childhood educators have embraced this by incorporating nature-based elements in classrooms—such as plants, flowers, and outdoor play—which encourage children to engage with the natural world.
However, a biocentric approach goes beyond just outdoor time. It includes giving children the chance to connect directly with living animals. Animals provide children with opportunities to build meaningful relationships and foster a love for all living things.
The Intrinsic Value of Animals: Children tend to appreciate animals for who they are, not for what they can provide. Unlike adults, who often value animals for their utility—whether as companions, food sources, or providers of products—children simply love animals because they are living creatures. This natural appreciation is rooted in what’s called intrinsic value, the idea that something is valuable just because it exists, not because of what it does for us.
Why Are Children Drawn to Animals? Children are universally attracted to animals, but what is it about animals that makes them so captivating? For one, animals hold a certain vulnerability that children can relate to. In a world dominated by adults, animals are one of the few creatures that children can "dominate" (in the sense of having more power over them). The act of caring for an animal can build confidence in young children as they take on the role of caretaker.
Freedom of Expression: Animals provide children with a unique kind of communication. Unlike adults, who may focus on the mechanics of language or the need for children to process their emotions, animals simply listen without judgment. Whether it’s a family dog or a pet hamster, animals offer children a safe space to express themselves without feeling pressured to elaborate, explain, or justify their thoughts. This sense of freedom helps children build trust and feel heard.
Animals' Magical Abilities: Children are also drawn to animals because of the "magical" qualities they possess, both in real life and in fiction. Animals can fly, move at incredible speeds, or perform extraordinary feats like echolocation or underwater breathing. These abilities captivate children's imaginations, making animals both exciting and empowering. Pretend play, where children mimic animals, allows them to transcend their human limitations and experience the world from an animal’s perspective. This helps children feel strong and powerful, while also fostering empathy for animals and other living beings.
Animals as Comforting Companions: For many children, animals, especially pets, offer security and comfort. Pets are familiar, nonjudgmental companions, providing emotional support when children are upset. I’ve observed this in my own children, who, during a thunderstorm, found comfort not only in the presence of their dog but also in comforting her. This exchange helped them manage their own fears.
While they might not always be able to articulate it, children’s love for animals is profound and multifaceted. Animals provide children with stimulating, multisensory experiences, a chance to process their emotions, and a reliable source of comfort. Through these interactions, animals support children in navigating the complexities of their emotions and life experiences.
This insight is taken from Connecting Animals and Children in Early Childhood, which goes on to explore how animals influence children’s development, how to facilitate authentic experiences with animals, and how to incorporate animals into the classroom setting.
