Pets have a special way of helping us tap into our hearts, our guts and our intuition. So, naturally, it would make sense to use pets in the classroom in a very intentional way. Since we are not allowed to have actual pets in most of our classrooms, and although stuffed animals are not the same, stuffed animals allow the space for kids to get quiet.
(Featured above is the round monkey found HERE and the red-nose dog, found HERE)
The great thing about stuffed animals is that not only can they serve a purpose in the classroom, it can carry into their home life. AND this is such an easy tool to change up. If you think the rabbit is not serving the class well as a reading buddy any more, change it up. To change things up, you could have the rabbit serve as the ‘redirect rabbit’. Meaning, it is easy to change up the stuffed animals’ roles if need be.
Here are 7 Different Ways You Can Use Stuffed Animals in the Classroom:
Class Mascot/Class Pet One of the widely known ways to incorporate a stuffed animal in your classroom is a class mascot or class pet. Think of this as your class’ best friend. He will sit with any of the kids when they are feeling sad, angry, happy, on-task, off-task…you name it, she is there. The pet can sit up high and watch the kids. You can have contests between the pet and the class. You could have contests between the pet and you. You could also have the class take the pet home with them on the weekends. This is especially helpful making connections at home. Now, some ground rules have to be placed when taking the pet home. Absolutely. This option might not be for all classes, but you can always try it and if it isn’t working, you can adjust.
(Featured above are Plush Peppermint Penguin found HERE , Colorful Penguin found HERE , Penguins with Scarf found HERE , Polar Bear found here)
Reading Buddies This is perfect for all grades because what kid doesn’t like to snuggle while they are reading a book. While snuggling, kids can practice their fluency. Students can also read to the stuffed animals with tone, emphasis, questioning… This is their time to get one-to-one with their animal. It is nice to have a bucket with animals for everyone. Or you can rotate through so maybe 5 kids have the animals at a time. The only thing I caution with this many stuffed animals are lice. Be sure to clean those animals every once in awhile. Don’t want any critters thinking their new home is among the pets.
A Writing Pen Pal I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this way. Especially for some of our reluctant writers. If a student is having trouble coming up with something to write about, they can write to the stuffed animal. The idea of putting thoughts down on paper is just hard for some kids in kinder and first grade. Even 2nd grade. Some times we just have those kiddos that struggle to put *anything* down. Knowing that they have a quiet audience can transform the child to have a purpose for writing. This is not only helpful in writing personal narratives, but it can help a child express what they are really feeling/thinking. They know that they won’t get into trouble or are wrong for expressing something to the stuffed animal. Because the stuffed animal isn’t real, they won’t ‘really’ get punished or hurt. This can truly be transformative.
Birthday Bear!! (or Day I Was Born Dog or Celebration Cat….) Celebrate a birthday! How sweet! This stuffed animal can sit at a child’s desk on their birthday or they can sit right next to them. They could take the stuffed animal to lunch with them or play with them at recess. Listen, we all know that sometimes our classroom is the best birthday event a child might get. While we can’t get extravagant, we can certainly make it special.
A Thinking Friend Some times the students just need to think about things. Or maybe fidget with something. A stuffed animal is perfect for this. They can squeeze, touch, hug, and juggle a stuffed animal. Some times they just need to sit. This is perfect for that.
A Redirect Friend Often times, a child just needs to be redirected from a not-so-good-choice behavior. While we can speak to them with redirects with simple, ‘hmmm, let’s think about that action…”, a simple placement of the stuffed animal on their desk or in their lap will do just the same. Their brains start to wonder…”Hmmmm, what is this on my desk? What should I do with it?” Often that break in their brain is just what they need to get back on track.
Tattle Tiger (or friend) Turn the tattling into a writing activity *and* turn the tattling to the tiger. If a student came up to me and was tattling, first I make sure no one is in danger, then I simply state: “Take it to the Tiger”. I end it fast. Fast, fast, fast. Later, if a child actually took the effort to write something down on paper (or draw), I will read the note they left for the tiger. The kids know this too. That is important. They did need to “feel” like they are being heard. Which they are, just not during instructional time.
And, that’s it. Well, almost.
You can also use stuffed animals for class rewards. Meaning once the class meets a goal, they can bring a stuffed animal to school.
Have fun bringing these cuties to your class. The kids will love it!
