A couple of decades ago, I decided to purchase a Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula. At the time I just thought it would be cool. I didn’t even consider the value it might add to connecting with kids, teaching them about responsibility, thinking outside of their own needs and wants, and just simply bringing a fun dynamic into their school day. Besides all of that, it cured a lot of self-diagnosed arachnophobia. I owned that spider for 10 years, bought another one and had that for ten years. Both spiders were held by hundreds of kids. At some point I decided it was time to expand my classroom pets to include other critters. I have owned tortoises, turtles, geckos, salamanders, snakes, and hamsters (Those furry rodents were actually forced on me by a 5th grader at Truman Elementary. “Just keep them until someone else wants them”. No one else ever took them.)
While my current pets are not as cuddly as a dog, they serve a surprisingly very similar and effective purpose. I have two red eared sliders (turtles), a salamander, a leopard gecko, and a young tarantula.
Just like about anything else, there have been studies done on the effects of pets in the classroom. Some of the many positives that come from adding living critters to your classroom, according to a study done by the American Humane Association, include:
Encouraging Responsibility and Leadership; Providing Calm, Relaxation, and Relief from Stress and Anxiety; Bringing Science and Nature Lessons to Life; Enhancing Reading, Writing, and Storytelling; Instilling Empathy, Compassion, and Respect for Others; Exposing Children to New Experiences and Opportunities; Building Loving and Supportive Relationships at School; Increasing Pride and Joy in the Classroom; Improving the Management of Behavioral Issues.
I can attest to all of these benefits. I see them every day. I take advantage of them every day. And these benefits don’t just help my class. They even help kids in other rooms who need motivation to do the right things or who just need a break from their schedule. Start with a gecko. They are easy to take care of, docile, and interesting. Just go for it.
