Living with Power

Hi there! Everyone loves a class pet, right? What many don’t realize is they serve such an important purpose in our classroom communities. I don’t think this is talked about enough…..you need pets in your classrooms. I realize that this may not be realistic or even feasible for everyone but, if it is at all, you should absolutely get one.

One year I had a really rough class. A lot of behaviors, lack of emotional regulation and just a class that wasn’t very cohesive in general. We all have those years right? One thing that always brought us together was our class pet, Humphrey. Humphrey is a turtle that has lived in my classroom for about 10 years now. Not only is he handsome, sweet and super chill, everyone loves him. You can’t help but fall in love with Humphrey.

I’ve always introduced him and told his story at the beginning of the school year. I set ground rules, expectations and make it clear how he needs to be taken care of. Humphrey is so cool that he enjoys wandering around the classroom during the day. We practice being quiet, gentle and staying in our seats. Kids connect with animals. In fact, it’s the craziest days that he grounds us a classroom. Even the roughest of kids show kindness to Humphrey. Sometimes we have a circle and give compliments to Humphrey, sometimes we talk to him about how to be kind, what is on our minds and sometimes we just sit and watch him. It’s mesmerizing to watch a animal walk around the classroom and watch 20 quiet little bodies just sitting there in awe.

I have had a variety of class pets over the years and regardless of the type, kids are gentle, kind and interested in taking good care of them. There is something to be said about low pressure relationships. Animals get them to open up, show empathy and help them to learn to care for something other than themselves. For some kids, it may be the first relationship they form in the classroom.

There is so much to be said for fostering relationships that are inherently kind. If you don’t have access to animals see if there is a neighbor or someone close by that would let you snuggle theirs for a bit. Check out local petting zoos, nature centers or even visit the pet store. Sometimes just observing and talking is the best medicine too.

Using animals to teach kindness is a great low pressure, low key way to provide socio emotional lessons without the officialness of a “lesson.”

What animals do you have access to?

-McKenzie