At Lakewood Montessori, we feel that pets are an important element of the prepared environment. There are many documented pieces of research which would indicate that including live animals in a child’s daily life experiences greatly enhance their ability to learn responsibility, sympathy for others, kindness, respect for life, and the natural processes of living things.

These virtues help develop a more well rounded and caring individual who can make a positive contribution to society. The classroom is a great place to study the needs and life cycles of our classroom pets so we can bring these and other benefits into the lives of our students.

Anita Murnighan
Lakewood Montessori, Boise, Idaho