From feeding and bathing to studying animal life, CEE classroom pets keep things interesting on campus! 2AB - BETSY AND KAREN The students adore our classroom turtles, and enjoy helping to feed and care for them. They notice the differences between Jackson Pollack and Shy Girl, who now feel like class mascots, and observe changes in their behavior. Students share in the love and responsibility of having a pet. Some children who don’t have pets feel as if they do, which has helped some students overcome their fears of turtles and become more informed about these amphibians. EC1A - JENNA, ARIELLE, AND AMIRA Cyril the Bearded Dragon was a gift from a CEE family. She teaches the children how to care for other creatures and provides an emotional regulation tool for many children. They often go to Cyril’s cage for comfort when they’re sad or scared. In the future, we also plan to incorporate Cyril into the curriculum. EC2A - NANCY, JORDANA, AND NZINGA Fred and Ginger are goldfish that were originally brought to EC2A by Nancy and playfully dubbed “Mark’s Kids.” They provide a soothing and relaxing attraction, and the children enjoy learning about them because of their similarities to humans in terms of feeding and nurturing. The fish are also an important first step in teaching the children about loss. When a fish dies, the class buries it, the children write notes that are taped to the tank, and the fish isn’t replaced for a long time. SCIENCE - NACISSÉ Having classroom animals helps the children build awareness, responsibility, and sensitivity towards others. For some, it encourages them to step out of their comfort zone and build their courage around new experiences. Anna the tortoise is a beloved mascot in the science lab because she is very curious and loves to be around the students. She often walks freely around the classroom, usually by students’ requests. The children experience on a small scale what it means to share space with other living things. They are called to step outside of themselves and consider what Anna needs to be healthy and safe in
the classroom. The students feel very protective of her and work hard to stay conscious of her welfare. THE CARING PLACE - EMMA, MONICA, AND BIANCA The youngest children on campus enjoy saying hello to our three fish in the mornings and learn to help take care of them. These fish also serve as a transition tool for the The Caring Place children; often a child will arrive in the morning, say farewell to their parent and run up to greet the fish, allowing for a smoother goodbye.
The CENTER News Page 17
PETS ON THE LOOSE
