Reasons to Have Pet Day at School
Over the past few decades, a growing body of research has shown that the presence of pets and companion animals is beneficial to human health and well-being. Pets can have a profound impact on the psychological and intellectual development of children, which is why having a class pet or setting aside a designated day as "pet day" can be extremely beneficial to students and teachers alike.
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Less Maintenance
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While some elementary school classrooms have a permanent class pet, many teachers may not want to deal with all the responsibilities associated with having a pet. Deciding what to do with the pet over the summer or holiday breaks can be problematic for teachers. Also, there may be problems with providing adequate heat, light and space for the animal. This is why many teachers hesitate to incorporate animals into the classroom on a permanent basis. Having a day where outside pets are brought in for the children to interact with can provide all the benefits associated with companion animals without the added responsibility.
Stress Relief
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Going to school can be very stressful for young children, especially those who are shy or withdrawn. They may experience separation anxiety at being away from their parents for so long or have fears about socializing or fitting in. A psychological study, "Paws In The Classroom," showed that children exhibited less fear and anxiety when there was a pet in the classroom for them to interact with. This may be because pets serve as a "transitional object" or "surrogate friend." If children are anxious about being away from home or making friends, the pet becomes their unconditional friend, thus relieving or reducing their anxiety.
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Hands-On Learning
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The famous philosopher and educator John Dewey believed that children learn better by doing things rather than by rote memorization of facts and figures. Having pets in the classroom, even if only on a temporary basis, can provide hands-on learning for children in a variety of ways. Children can learn about biology and anatomy by having a dog, bird or reptile brought into the classroom, and according to Dewey's theory, children will absorb the information better than if they had simply learned it from a textbook.
Pets Stimulate Creativity
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Children are naturally curious and imaginative, and having a pet around can stimulate that natural curiosity. Most children are interested in or inquisitive about animals, regardless of whether they have a pet at home or not. Many teachers who have had pet day in their classrooms have said that the presence of an animal seemed to stimulate their students' creativity in the arts, literature and music. Even students who did not have a natural aptitude for the arts would write stories, draw pictures and act out plays involving the animal.
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