My Top Student asked me early one morning if he can keep “it” as a pet. My first reaction was how disgusting, as “it” was not the usual pet but a snail. I was wondering why a snail. I suppose a pet is just a pet. Or is it?

A pet is most certainly more than just a pet. That is something I discovered on a morning I learned how a creature like a snail can put a huge smile on a child’s face and turn a difficult day into a good day.

Pets can provide numerous benefits for children:
Responsibility comes with learning how to care for a pet by filling their food bowl or taking them for a walk.Emotional skills are developed through having compassion for their non-human friend.

Pets give unconditional love. A dog’s “kiss” is not like that of a human who expects something in return. This unconditional love of a pet boosts a child’s self-esteem.

Ever heard of pet “Play dates.” Pets can help children make new friends and improve their social skills. Maybe it happens through a play date where two friends each bring their pets to a visit. Alternatively, a conversation starter can be that of two friend’s pets.

Life lessons can be taught to children through having a pet. When my Top Student eagerly adopted his new pet (the snail) I could use the opportunity of discussing the life cycle of a snail.

Children learn through having pets that creatures are mortal, and accidents, death and bereavement do happen.

My Top Student loved to put his pet snail on the table where he worked. Of course, he believed the snail was watching him as he worked and monitored his progress. Thus, he was motivated to do his best.

My Top Student found a connection to nature and respected the snail as a group part of “God’s creatures”.

My Top Student’s best lesson of the morning was that everybody has a little place in the world with its own value and purpose and that gave my Top Student his purpose for the day: His pet snail…