Purchasing a pet is one of the best ways to teach your kids about the cycle of life, how is it like to have a friend, and why discipline is important. However, if you are a teacher, you have to explain these things to other kids daily, so bringing a pet in your classroom can be a pretty fun and creative idea after all.
However, not every pet is suitable for this task, so you will have to be careful when you’re choosing. Fortunately, we are here to help you out, so make sure to stick with us until the end if you are interested in hearing our opinion.
1. Bearded Dragon
You probably didn’t expect this one to be on the list, but owning a bearded dragon has a lot of benefits, and it’s a very suitable option for teachers and classrooms. Although it’s not the most famous pet that you can have, it’s great for many reasons, so let’s take a look at some of them.
- They are very gentle and calm by nature, despite their name
- They look cool and will be tons of fun for most kids in your class
- They are easy to keep and the process of maintaining their home is also simple
- You can choose a rare breed that’s unlike anything the kids have seen before
- Might be slightly more expensive compared to some of the other popular pets
If you choose to buy a bearded dragon, make sure that you get informed about all of the things that need to be done and taken care of while you’re keeping it. Also, inform all children about the behavior of these pets, and tell them what they are and are not allowed to do while near it.
2. Rabbits
Probably one of the cutest pets that you can purchase, and they are so easy to find in almost every local pet store as well. When it comes to owning one, things are very simple, and almost every rabbit owner will tell you the same. They are not demanding at all, and your kids will love them.
- Easily affordable and available at almost every pet store
- Maintenance is minimal and not a lot of cleaning around them is required
- There are different sorts that you can purchase, some being larger, and others smaller
- They are cute and a great option if you want to entertain your kids in class
Rabbits are fragile by nature, meaning that you will have to be pretty careful when you’re feeding them, and they can easily get scared, so inform the kids in your class about the things they should and shouldn’t do around them. If you are interested in learning more about rabbits, you can view more here.
3. Fish
Not the most interesting pets that you can purchase, but they are still a lot of fun for children, especially if you have a few different kinds in the same fishbowl. Usually, the goldfish is the most popular choice for teachers and classrooms, but you can always get creative and purchase something else. Make sure that you don’t buy a piranha though unless you’re able to keep it out of reach away from the kids.
- Probably the easiest option when it comes to maintenance
- They don’t make any noise, and the smell is non-existent
- Cleaning takes just a few minutes and changing water can be done by anyone
- They are affordable and can be found in every pet store
- Not the most interesting
Fish are great, but they have to be fed daily, but that can be a good thing since you can have a different kid in your class feeding them every single day, which is a great way to teach discipline and some biology at the same time.
4. Guinea Pig
Are you looking for affordable and cute little furballs that you can have in your classroom? If the answer is yes, guinea pigs are your go-to option. We all know how much kids love them, so getting one, or even a few is a very cool thing that an elementary school teacher can do. Here are the advantages of having a guinea pig in your classroom.
- Entertaining in every way
- Maintenance is not too difficult
- They are affordable and can be found in every local store
- They do require a lot of social interaction, but that’s great because your kids will love them
- They need daily Vitamin C, so while feeding them you can teach about healthy diet and food
- The smell is not a problem, but it’s there, especially if you don’t clean their home often
Guinea pigs are great, and they come in different sizes and colors, but we pretty much guarantee that the kids in your class will love them. Make sure that you keep them out of reach though, because if they get angry, they can bite a finger or two, although the chances of this happening are pretty slim.
5. Rats
These animals are often disliked by a lot of people, and they are almost always labeled as pests rather than pets. Fortunately, you have the chance to teach the children in your class otherwise, so you can get a few smaller rats that are cute and fluffy instead of scary or dangerous. They are also a lot more intelligent than what people give them credit for, so you can use them to make some cool harmless experiments and entertain the kids.
- Easy to get
- They don’t cost a lot of money
- Maintenance is not too difficult
- A few of them in the same home can be a bit troublesome
- Kids will love them
- They are not the most appealing pets for a classroom
If you are considering a cheap option for your classroom, rats are always an option, but you’ll have to choose the kindest ones you can find in the store because you don’t want anyone to get hurt. Teaching biology will be a lot easier with these fellows on your desk.
