Children Benefit from New Pets in the Classroom Program

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by: Lucywo
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Word Count: 475
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 Time: 10:54 PM
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Pets have been a part of Western culture for thousands of years, and according to the ASPCA, about 63 percent of all U.S. households have a pet. The National Institutes of Health reports that over the last 40 years the social support system that helps prevent depression and various diseases has broken down, creating an increasingly important social support role for our pets. Children, in particular, can experience lasting benefits from interactions with pets. The Pet Care Trust has recognized the importance of healthy child-pet relationships by establishing the Pets in the Classroom program.

Pets in the Classroom allows children to benefit from the social support of pets and learn to bond with and care for pets responsibly. The Pet Care Trust understands that many teachers have limited financial resources to include pet care as part of the classroom experience, so this program provides easy to apply for, direct grants that allow teachers to purchase new pets, pet environments or pet food and supplies for existing classroom pets.

Children have a natural attraction to and curiosity about animals, but having a pet in the classroom provides more than just an interesting pastime for students. Working with classroom pets provides kids with valuable social skills. Pet care allows children to develop a sense of responsibility that is so vital to success in life. Children learn that the pet depends on their care; and with the teacher's supervision, kids will develop consistent habits through their daily pet care responsibilities.

Taking care of pets helps children build self-esteem. Children feel a sense of accomplishment and pride, and can enjoy the pet's affection in return. The more a child takes part in caring for a pet, the more confidence they develop. Studies conducted by the Waltham Centre have shown that children with pets have higher levels of self-esteem than those without pets.

Caring for pets requires nurturing. Kids learn that pets need to be treated with respect and kindness. Boys especially benefit from the opportunity to develop nurturing skills by caring for a classroom pet. That nurturing can develop into a true friendship between students and pets. Many types of animals love human contact and respond to children with affection, and children can even develop bonds with less responsive pets such as turtles or fish. These social bonds are beneficial to children and can enable them to do better in a school setting.

The Pet Care Trust hopes that by offering grants from $50 to $150 to teachers, children in grammar school classrooms across the country will experience enhanced social development through their interaction with classroom pets. The application process for teachers is simple, and teachers will receive a decision on their application from the program within 7 business days. or more information on Pets in the Classroom or to apply, please visit
a href=http://www.petsintheclassroom.org>Pets In The Classroom

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Pets In The Classroom