Classroom pets have been a staple in many schools for years. They can range from small animals like hamsters and guinea pigs to larger animals like rabbits and snakes. But what is the purpose of having them in class? Do they add any value to students?
Pets can be a valuable addition to modern classrooms. It allows students to interact with animals throughout their learning journey. If you thought they were only there for fun, you’d be surprised to learn they have a greater purpose. So, let’s take a deeper look.
Benefits of Having a Classroom Pets
Here’s why classroom pets are vital to learning:
Pets Promote Education
Pets can provide significant benefits to developmentally challenged children in their learning. Having a furry friend by their side creates a non-judgmental and comforting environment that encourages students to be themselves. Parents and teachers have observed that reading a book to a pet is a more enjoyable and relaxing experience for children than reading alone at a desk.
Pets can enhance the classroom and other learning environments. For instance, by studying online documents, you may feel more relaxed and less stressed, indirectly improving focus and concentration. Interacting with animals also instills respect for life and cultivates a sense of responsibility in children.
Pets are Humanizing
Pets are known to spread positive energy and contribute to the development of positive emotions in their owners. Being a pet parent serves as a reminder of the responsibility to care for, protect, and nurture all forms of life. Children and students who grow up with pets comprehend the value of this commitment.
Pets are excellent and safe recipients of personal thoughts, and owners often communicate and share with their animals, who they perceive as the best listeners. They are beneficial for promoting non-verbal communication, empathy, healthy relationships, and compassion. They humanize the experience of caring for others.
Pets Impart Responsibility
Like humans, animals have routines that they follow diligently. While you might make excuses for not sticking to your practices, pets don’t understand the concept of excuses. They rely on their owners to maintain a regular schedule and expect nothing less. By caring for a pet, students can develop a sense of responsibility and accountability.
They learn to provide the pet with food, shelter, and cleanliness and take them for walks or other activities. This sense of accomplishment can help build self-esteem and teach students to care for other people’s needs, including animals.
Pets Posses Social Values
While nothing can replace the benefits of human social circles, pets can offer unique advantages. They provide companionship that can help prevent loneliness and depression in their owners.
Having a pet can provide comfort and support for students moving away from home for the first time and living in dorms or off-campus. Bonding with pets can also help students develop more vital social skills, which can lead to success in the academic setting.
Pets Enhance Mental Health
Pets can have a positive impact on students’ emotional well-being and morale. They can provide sensory stress relief, help ease anxiety, and offer unconditional love and companionship. They are always available to lend a sympathetic ear and bring joy to one’s life. Since they live in the moment, they benefit those who dwell in the past or worry about the future.
Research has shown that pets can help reduce the risk of academic failure. Middlesex University, for example, added some dogs to their staff list, and the results were terrific. They found value in them since they are particularly therapeutic for students in school.
What to Consider Before Committing to a Classroom Pet
If you’re considering having a classroom pet, as a teacher, you must deliberate all aspects of pet care and how it will affect your students and their parents. It’s essential to check if any students have allergies to the animals suitable for the classroom. In addition, you need to consider the pet’s upkeep, such as the kind of housing it will require, its specific dietary requirements, and whether its enclosure will fit into your classroom.
It would also be best to plan for what happens to the pet on weekends and holidays. Furthermore, consider the age of your students while choosing a suitable one. It’s crucial to ensure that you can afford to care for it, including veterinary care, in case of any medical issues. Lastly, you must also consider how the animal will integrate into your curriculum and remember that this process will require significant time, effort, and knowledge of the specific animal.
Conclusion
The bond between humans and animals is a beautiful and uncomplicated in this increasingly complex world. Owning a pet can be a lifelong friendship for your child or student. Pets will love your child unconditionally and never judge or criticize them like in the outside world. As a parent or adult, you will also benefit from the companionship, physical health, and psychological advantages of owning a classroom pet.
