Children and pets have a very special bond. Providing opportunities for students to spend time with animals or classroom pets can help children feel safe, loved and nurtured. Animal rescue organizations, museums or community members may be willing to visit the classroom with animals. Students can be asked to observe the animal and to then make statements about what sort of personality traits the animal might have. This activity will build vocabulary.
Awareness that some students may have fear or different impressions of pets is important.