Which Animals are Suitable for Educational Institutions?
A hamster in the classroom? Preferably not. While animals can enrich everyday life in schools and daycare centers, this is only the case if the species and husbandry are appropriate for the respective institution. An animal is not a toy, but a living being with its own needs. Educators should therefore carefully consider which animals are suitable and which are not.
What Animals Can Achieve in Everyday Educational Life
Animals kept properly promote responsibility, empathy, and joint action. Children learn that care must be regular and reliable. In addition, animals provide opportunities for conversation, stimulate observation, and create moments of calm, which are particularly important in hectic phases of everyday group life.
Selection Criteria
So that animals can be meaningfully integrated into schools or daycare centers, educators should pay attention to three things:
- Robustness: Animals must be able to withstand stress from noise or changing caregivers.
- Maintenance effort: The care must be feasible in everyday life – even during vacations or illness.
- Safe handling: Children should be allowed to observe and help without endangering the animal or the child.
Suitable Animal Species
- Guinea pigs & rabbits: Popular, easy to observe, but require space and group housing.
- Fish: Easy to care for, have a calming effect, well suited for observation.
- Birds (e.g. budgies): Lively and communicative, but need daily interaction and a clean environment.
👉 Important: Always keep at least in pairs, as most animals are social beings.
Less Suitable Animals
- Hamsters: nocturnal, mostly invisible during the day – disappointing for children.
- Reptiles: high demands on climate and food, hardly any interaction.
- Rats or mice: intelligent, but associated with prejudices for many children and parents – sensitive handling is necessary.
Organization is Everything
Before an animal moves in, a plan is needed:
- Who takes over the care during the holidays?
- Who bears the costs for food and veterinarian?
- Is there enough space for species-appropriate husbandry?
Such questions should be clarified in the team and with the parents before an animal becomes part of the institution.
Educational Added Value
Properly selected animals are more than just “entertainment”. They become learning companions: children experience responsibility practically, train their powers of observation and learn consideration. They recognize that animals have needs and that care is not a leisure activity, but a duty.
The most Important Thing for your Institution
Not every animal is suitable for school or daycare. Suitable are species that are robust, easy to care for and easy for children to experience. Anyone who informs themselves in advance and organizes the husbandry professionally creates added value for children, animals and the institution.