Having a pet in the classroom is a perfect idea for those who want to enrich the learning experience. No doubt that animals can help teach kids how to be responsible and take care of others.
Still, getting a pet is not the same experience as when you find a tutor website because it implies several issues, which are crucial to consider. Look through the main benefits and drawbacks of having classroom animals to make sure that you are ready for that.
Practical Benefits of Having a Classroom Pet
Having pets in the classroom implies various benefits. The students have an opportunity to engage in different experiences. No doubt, pets enrich the learning process and make studying interesting and pleasant. See the list below to discover the main pros of classroom pets.
They Teach Responsibility
The first and the most crucial benefit of classroom pets is that the children learn how to be responsible. Even the best learning program cannot teach it without practical experience. Thus, kids have an opportunity to take care of animals. They learn to understand that pets require time and effort from the owner to be happy, safe, and healthy.
Improve Students Attendance
One more advantage refers to better students’ attendance. The presence of animals in the classroom can change the attitude of the children towards learning. Also, they will have additional positive experiences that make them willing to present in class.
Cute animal friends become the additional reason for excitement in terms of the educational environment. This way, kids are motivated to visit school.
Encourage Nurturing
Classroom pets also encourage nurturing. When children spend time with animals, they soon understand that it’s necessary to take care of them carefully and kindly. After doing these, the animals will return the affection they get from them.
This process results in better nurturing skills. By getting love from the pets, kids feel proud of themselves.
Improve Social Skills
No doubt that constant interaction with animals leads to better social skills. While taking care of classroom pets, kids interact with other students, as well as teachers. What is more, classroom animals are also social creatures, and the students tend to spend time with them during the break or after the lessons.
Even if some children feel lonely or lack socialization, interaction with pets makes them more open, outgoing, and friendly.
Bring Exposure to Classroom Setting
Classroom pets are also able to bring exposure to the classroom setting. A lot of studies show that animals reduce stress and anxiety. In addition, they help build healthy social connections. Children become willing to learn more about pets, what they need, and how to take care of them.
Healthy, calm, and friendly atmosphere results in better academic performance. Besides, such interaction can be a solution to some problems with behavior.
Enrich the Classroom Experiences
Finally, having pets in the classroom increases the number of classroom experiences available for the students. The learning process becomes diverse, and it is possible to teach them even before lessons. While spending a pleasant time with animals, students also learn something new and practice different skills.
The real-life experience with pets is an interesting and easy way to learn more about animals, their life cycle, habits, and other specificities.
Drawbacks and Problems Related to Pets in Classroom
Of course, there are several important drawbacks to consider before getting classroom pets. Sometimes, children do not understand the whole responsibility, and teachers should accept it instead of the kids. Look through the main problems you can face while taking care of pets in the learning environment.
Health Risks for Students
There is always a threat for both animals and children. For example, some kids can suffer from allergies. Also, while caring for small mammals, there is a danger because of transmittable diseases. Rats or mice can even bite a child because of feeling irritated.
That’s why teachers should understand all the risks and control everything while students interact with animals.
Extra Funds for Food and Equipment
It’s not a surprise that animals need special food and equipment. The teacher will need to pay extra money to buy everything necessary for the classroom pets. Hence, it’s better to take care of it before getting the animal.
For instance, it’s possible to consult with parents in order to reach an agreement concerning the shared budget.
It is Hard to Protect Animals from Potential Harm
One more problem of having animals in the classroom is that there is always potential harm for them. It is not so easy to control how students use gadgets in the classroom during the lesson. Teachers should be extremely attentive to avoid the situation when a child can harm a pet.
Sometimes, kids can make the pets very terrified, which results in heart attacks or sudden death of an animal.
They are Left Alone during Holidays and Weekends
The last problem refers to the person who will take care of the classroom pets during the holidays. Of course, animals cannot be left alone because they need food, care, and affection from their owners.
The teachers should be ready to take care of the animals during the nights, vacations, or holidays. If not, there is a need to find someone responsible for the pets outside the classroom.
What to Consider Before Choosing a Pet for a Classroom
After discussing the main problems with having classroom pets, it becomes obvious that you should consider such issues:
- You should consider the size and habits of an animal;
- Make sure that your students have no allergies;
- Make an agreement with parents concerning the shared budget to keep the pets;
- You need to find a person responsible for animals during the weekend and holidays;
- Pets require special equipment and food;
- You should be extremely attentive to avoid potential harm for both animals and children.
Wrapping Up
After analyzing all pros and cons of having a classroom pet, you can decide whether you are ready for such an experience or not. Make sure that you considered all the issues and made an agreement with the parents and children concerning shared responsibility.
If all the problems are solved, you will get a new learning experience and cute friends full of love and devotion.
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