Pet Related Teaching Resources
Pets were a big part of our life when our children were younger. Our home was home to a dog, many cats, reptiles, an African Gray parrot, and even crickets! We raised those for the reptiles!
Our children formed deep bonds, especially with the cats, dog, and parrot (who had an uncanny way of actually talking to us!)
Our children’s relationships with pets offer numerous benefits that contribute to their development and well-being. Research has shown that caring for pets can teach children responsibility, enhance their social skills, and provide emotional support.Children’s Hospital Colorado
Teaching Responsibility
While we often had to remind our kids to feed a pet or let them outside, helping care for their pets helped them learn about responsibility and the importance of following through on taking care of a pet for years.
Enhancing Social Skills
Pets can help our children enjoy encouraging interactions and develop friendships among children. In classroom settings, the presence of pets has been linked to improved social competence and decreased problem behaviors. A study involving third and fourth-grade students found that classroom pets contributed to increased social skills and academic competence. CABI Digital Library+4HABRI+4petsintheclassroom.org+4Wikipedia+3petsintheclassroom.org+3CABI Digital Library+3
I’d like to believe that having pets at home would help in the same ways!
Providing Emotional Support
Pets have a special way of comforting us, and that’s especially true for kids. Whether it’s cuddling with a cat after a rough day or talking to a dog who always “listens,” having a pet around can ease feelings of loneliness and help kids feel more secure.
Studies have even shown that just being around animals can lower stress, improve mood, and even reduce blood pressure. Pretty amazing what a wagging tail or a gentle purr can do!
Pet Related Resources for Kids
If you’re enjoying a pet-themed study or have a child who is interested in getting their first or next pet, we have a few resources to add fun to the building excitement or to help make a decision about which pet.
- Big list of horse science resources
- Dog unit study with free animal report forms so your children can research a dog breed in which they are interested.
- The American Veterinary Medicine Association has a resource section on their site with coloring pages, handouts, and even career information for your animal lover who would like to be a vet!
- National Geographic Kids – Pet Central
Explore videos, articles, and activities about various pets. - American Kennel Club – The Canine Corner
A newsletter offering resources to teach children about dogs. - Kids Discover Online – Dogs
- The Best Reptile for Kids from Galena Animal Medical Clinic
- The Best Reptiles for Kids from PetMed
An interactive unit exploring the world of dogs and their relationship with humans. - American Veterinary Medical Association – Kids’ Corner
Educational tools to teach children about animal health and veterinary science. - PetMD – Pet Care
Information on how to care for different types of pets.
I hold a master’s degree in child development and early education and am working on a post-baccalaureate in biology. I spent 15 years working for a biotechnology company developing IT systems in DNA testing laboratories across the US. I taught K4 in a private school, homeschooled my children, and have taught on the mission field in southern Asia. For 4 years, I served on our state’s FIRST Lego League tournament Board and served as the Judging Director. I own thehomeschoolscientist and also write a regular science column for Homeschooling Today Magazine. You’ll also find my writings on the CTCMath blog. Through this site, I have authored over 50 math and science resources.