Classroom pets

Child Care Aware News

July/August 2011

A publication for Child Care Professionals

Child Start, inc.

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specifc learning objectives, careful planning, and respect for the diverse interests of everyone involved can make having critters in the classroom a positive and powerful experience.

Critters in the Classroom

Excerpt from Critters in the Classroom, Texas Child Care Magazine, Fall 2004
providing

From ant colonies and earthworm farms to domestic pets and wild critters living in zoos, animals fascinate Overview children. And for generations, teachers have tried to maximize childrens learning potential by bringing animals into the classroom. Teachers know that most children are eager to observe, feed, touch, and care for animals. Teachers also understand that some children are fearful and want to observe from a respectful distanceor theyre just disinterested. Specifc learning objectives, careful planning, and respect for the diverse interests of everyone involved can make having critters in the classroom a positive and powerful experience. In early childhood classrooms, pets contribute to a childs knowledge of the natural world. Children learn by:
observing

the basics of animal care by supplying suitable habitats, food, water, and other needs; and observing animal life cycles: birth, growth, and death.

When you model care and respect for animals, children will naturally follow your lead. Conversations with children about the habitat and diet of particular animals invite opportunities to explore the similarities and differences among living things.

Get everyone involved

Before getting a classroom pet, make sure you are eager, knowledgeable, and prepared. Clarify your limitations before you make a commitment. As you consider pet options, review program rules and review licensing and health regulations. After you have limited the options, bring the issue to the group. Use the following questions to guide your conversations with children.
Where How

and describing the differences between plants and animals;

will the pet live, what will it need? much will the pet cost and where will we buy it?
See Classroom, page 2

Classroom, from page 1

Where

will we get the money for the pet, its food, and supplies? Who will take care of the pet? What will we do if the pet gets sick or injured?

These questions help children understand their responsibility for another living creature. Then, with the group, develop a plan that includes charts for use in caregiving responsibilities like feeding, cage cleaning, and handling.

All animals produce wastes that must be removed regularly. Water habitats for fish may require air circulation and filtration systems. Daily maintenance will be limited to feeding and a check that all systems are working properly. Land animals, on the other hand, depend on people to clean their habitats as well as provide food, water, and other animal-specific needs. For habitat and feeding specifics, consult pet care manuals available in libraries, bookstores, and pet stores.

pets at a glance
Excerpt from Critters in the Classroom, Texas Child Care Magazine, Fall 2004

housing pets
Housing for a classroom pet will depend upon the animals needs and natural environment. Earthworms and insects, for exampleare likely to be day visitors. Provide simple, temporary housing like a clean plastic jar and a wet cotton ball in the container for moisture. Habitats for permanent pets must be sturdy and appropriate to the animal. Sometimes you will be able to find used cages and aquariums at thrift stores. But remember, if the pet is a long-term investment, its housing should be too. Scrimping on housing and bedding could risk pet health and injury as well as increase the time it takes you to clean and maintain the habitat.

helping children care for pets

Help children handle classroom pets appropriately. Toddlers and young preschoolers will need to learn the meaning of words like gently and pet softly. Teach older children how to read animal cues for hunger, tiredness, and fear. Most animals, and all mammals, have cyclic sleep, alert, and quiet times that children can learn to respect. Teach children to leave animals alone when they are eating. As you and the children become more familiar with your classroom pet, continue exploring issues like pet toys, handling, habitat features, and food treats. Vacations and weekends present challenges. Many animals require such minimal care that they can be left in the classroom over a twoday weekend. No animal can be left alone for a longer period. Going home with a child is often too risky. Classroom pets can be injured or killed because of rough handling, inattentive care, and jealous or undisciplined house pets. Most of the time, you will be the pets primary caregivereven over vacations. If the pet goes home with a child, be certain the adults in the household are eager and committed to its care.

Fish. Fish are calming to watch and require minimal maintenance. Some fish, like Betas, can be kept in large bowls without filtration. amphibians. Classroom pets include salamanders, newts, frogs, and toads. The Red Eft (newt) is the most appropriate classroom pet. It is quiet, has no grooming needs, and is fascinating to observe. Frogs and toads are both hearty, quiet, and interesting to watch; neither should be handled. reptiles. Snakes, turtles, and lizards, are quiet, thrive in easy-to-maintain habitats, and dont require handling. Most reptiles carry salmonella and may be barred from early childhood classrooms. Birds. Research the type of bird you are considering. Birds can nip fingers and carry illnesses. Consider canaries, finches, or parakeetsall are easy care and child friendly. rodents. Rodents are the most common classroom pets. They are inexpensive, quiet, and tolerate childrens attention. Mice are nocturnal and may be less interesting than other small rodents. Gerbils are playful in the daytime, selfgrooming, and hearty, but may be too active for children to handle easily. Guinea pigs are kitten-sized, gentle, and live for about eight years. Rats rate as great pets. They are clean, intelligent, easily tamed, and respond readily to humansincluding children. Hamsters are nocturnal and the most likely to bite. Ferrets. Ferrets are strictly regulated in many locales and are not appropriate as classroom pets. rabbits. Rabbits can be good-natured, affectionate, and child-friendly pets.

Bug out!
Excerpt from Classroom Mascots, by Stephanie Bailey and Joe Collins, University of Kentucky Entomology Department

While some insects are ObServing very hard to inSeCtS keep alive for more than a few days, others can be maintained for much longer periods of time. There are some guidelines in both cases. Gallon jars and plastic food containers are easy to find and make great bug houses. Be sure the container is rinsed of any residues which may harm the insect. Lids should be ventilated, or use a screen-like material (such as nylon stockings) placed over the top. Secure the lid, you dont want the insect to escape! Adult insects can get by for a few days with a little moisture. Keep the insect by itself and keep the container out of direct sunlight, and away from heating or cooling vents and drafts. Most insects are more comfortable with even a minimal habitat such as rocks, sticks and/or a crumpled paper towel for the insect to hide in. Immature insects such as caterpillars must have food to survive. Ensure a food supply before bringing caterpillars into the classroom. Long-term visitors have a few more needs. The container will need to be cleaned periodically (caterpillar containers should be

changed every few days). Research the insects natural environment, and try to make its container hospitable. Always have a source of moisture available. Make sure you will be able to provide plenty of food for the insect. If you cant determine what the insect eats, dont plan to keep it for more than a few days. Check to be sure there is enough food and water to tide the insect over on weekends. During long holidays it may be best to either take the insect home or set it free, as weather permits. Long-term insect projects, like observing a silkworms life cycle or a butterflys metamorphosis, will require special materials and preparation.1 Ants are available through either pet stores or scientific supply catalogs.

hand washing is essential

Excerpt from Critters in the Classroom, Texas Child Care Magazine, Fall 2004

Make sure you and the children wash hands thoroughly before and after handling pets or anything in their habitats. Thorough hand washing is essential. Make a plan for cleaning the habitats of land animals. Experienced children can be HeAltH taught to take & SAfety responsibility for this aspect of pet care. In groups of younger children, you will need to include cleaning in your daily routine. Talk with the children about what you are doing and why you are taking such care. Place wastes, including old bedding, food, and feces, in a plastic bag and knot it tightly. Place the bag in an outdoor garbage can. Some animalslike cats, rabbits and small rodentsand some wood-chip bedding cause allergic reactions. Review childrens health records and your own resistance to animal allergens. For people who have allergic reactions, no amount of contact is safe. The usual cause of the allergy is dander (dried skin particles) thats in the air, not just on the animal. Skin and respiratory reactions are caused not by touching the animal but rather by breathing contaminated air. Some animals bite, scratch, or peck when handled, especially by inexperienced handlers. Have a plan in place for any injuries. Make sure to share your medical report forms with an injured childs parents immediately. Children and adults whose immune systems are suppressed are at much greater risk for infections. If anyone in your program has a suppressed immune system, get specific medical approval before choosing a classroom pet.

take a quick look

Many insects, like ants, beetles, grasshoppers, praying mantis, and crickets, are interesting to observe and are easy to collect in the wild. Put a wet cotton ball in your observation box to provide moisture for the insect. At the end of the day, return the insect to the place it was found.1
1

Critters in the Classroom, Texas Child Care magazine, Fall 2004

points to consider
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends considering these points before choosing a classroom pet.
Does

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

paiD
SALINA, KS 67401 PERMIT NO. 69

the animal normally sleep during the day? Is the animal an excellent climber or digger? Can the animal easily transmit disease? Will the animal bite or scratch if hurt or scared? Is the animal too big or too small for a child to hold? Does the animal need quiet time to hibernate or shed skins? Does the animal require an extremely specialized diet involving lots of food preparation? Does the animal tend to require expensive habitats and medical care?

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If you have answered yes to any of these questions, the animal will probably not make a good classroom companion.

Choosing a veterinarian
Excerpt from Critters in the Classroom, Texas Child Care Magazine, Fall 2004

A veterinarian can both help you provide optimum care for a healthy animal and provide emergency care for an injured or sick pet. Make sure the veterinarian is knowledgeable about your particular pet. Many vets specialize in common domestic pets and have little experience with rodent or reptile care. Choose carefully. Have a plan for paying

veterinarian fees and your pets emergency care. Some programs cover these costs with once-a-year fundraising; others ask parents for donations. Death is an inevitable part of a pets life cycle and often follows an injury. Make sure you are prepared to explain a pets death to your class. Whenever possible, honor the dead pet with a proper ceremony and burial. Dont be tempted to buy a replacement in the belief the children wont notice. Instead, use the pets death to help children explore their feelings of sadness and frustration at the loss of an animal friend.

Child Start 1069 S. Glendale Wichita, KS 67218 316-682-1853 800-684-3962 www.childstart.org

July/August 2011

Introducing the All New

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July 2011

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Session Title Child Abuse Recognition & Reporting/Signs & Symptoms RecycArt: Creating Unique Art Works Through New & Recycled Medium Space Junk Adult Child & Infant CPR/Choking, First Aid & Safety Basic Knowledge Curriculum: Routine Care: Sleeping, Hand Washing & Diapering Creative Curriculum for Preschool: Going Outdoors Adventurous Group Games for School Age Students Active Social Play Pediatric First Aid Introduction and Refresher Pediatric First Aid Introduction and Refresher Healthy After School Kids: We Like to Move It! What Insurance Does Your Business Need? Basic Knowledge Curriculum: Keeping Children Safe, Pt. 2 Child Abuse Recognition & Reporting/Signs & Symptoms Tools of the Trade Part Three Adult Child & Infant CPR/Choking, First Aid & Safety RecycArt: Creating Unique Art Works Through New & Recycled Medium Flying Objects Pediatric First Aid Introduction and Refresher Precious Cargo, Getting Children There and Back Safely Session Title Child Abuse Recognition & Reporting/Signs & Symptoms Literacy Through the Day Conference Adult, Child & Infant CPR/Choking, First Aid & Safety Basic Knowledge Curriculum: Routine Care: Creating Daily Routines Sand, Water, Slime and Dough Pediatric First Aid Introduction and Refresher The Candy Lurking Under the Couch: Friend or Foe Exception to the Five Second Rule Get Outside, Learn Outside: Environmental Education for Early Childhood Conference Enriched Recyclables Harper Adventurous Group Games for School Age Students: Special Projects and Events Child Abuse Recognition & Reporting/Signs & Symptoms Books for Babies and Beyond The Creative Curriculum for Preschool - The Learning Environment: Discovery Adult, Child & Infant CPR/Choking, First Aid & Safety Creative Art for Everyone Movin and Explorin Learning Styles of Kids 0-5 Pediatric First Aid Introduction and Refresher Basic Knowledge Curriculum Routines - Routine Care: Sleeping, Hand Washing & Diapering Healthy Kansas Kids: Food, Fun & Fitness: Its Berry, Berry Good RecycArt: Creating Unique Art Work Through New & Recycled Medium - Free Style

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