Taking rabbit to preschool?

[kamdynandsunshinesmom]

Hi there in a few weeks I will be taking my rabbit into a preschool class since it is easter. I was wondering if I could have some ideas to teach the kids the responsibilties of taking care of a rabbit and that it is not a good idea to care for a rabbit until they are older? thanks

[Sam and Lady's Human]

Is your bunny going to be ok with that? I know it would stress Sam and even mellow Lady out a lot.

I don’t know if you’re going to be able to get across what you intend with a group of 4 and 5 year olds. But you can try by telling them they have to clean their rooms all the time so bunny doesn’t eat their toys. Tell them that bunnies eat their poop, thats always a good one. That bunnies don’t like to be held or pet, that they cost a lot of money and have to eat their greens every day.

I have a 3 and 4 year old, and they love the bunnies and deal really well with them, but they don’t actually understand the cons of having a rabbit (outside of the toy thing!). Sam has enough get-away spots that she only goes to see them when *she* wants, and Lady lets them pet her a little bit.

I think bringing a bunny in would be counter-productive. They are not going to listen when you have a cute bunny they want to play with. It also will put in their mind that they *want* a bunny, rather than not even thinking of one. Kinda like when I take my girls in the pet store, they want everything, rats, ferrets, bunnies, but when we leave, they forget. Take a rabbit in and all they are going to think is, I have to go tell mum I want one!

 

[Stickerbunny]

A good way to teach kids the responsibility is to offer a star or something if they do the chores for the bunny – IE: after school I need volunteers to help me clean the animal pen. But, in pre-school, not sure that is something you could do. The kids are so young. I would be more into educating the parents, so maybe if your school is OK with it, pass out “extra credit” work to the kids of a rabbit care check list to fill out that their parents would need to help them with? With a bun in school you could explain that rabbits do not like to be held or cuddled with, they can scratch and bite if scared, but they aren’t trying to be mean, that they take a lot of cleaning – probably more than even their own rooms. etc

[RabbitPam]

I am in agreement with Sam…. I would reconsider bringing in your own bunny to a preschool. You don’t want them swarming around to touch, which they will automatically do. They will be distracted and a child is likely to promise they’ll do everything you ask as long as they please can have a bunny.

Consider doing a slide presentation to them instead. Give a flyer for them to take home of the commitments required, the care needed, (check out the Make Mine Chocolate for any printable info. or just use the BB site’s info to jot down some facts as a reference) etc. You want the parents armed with the facts about why any other pet would be better. The slide show could show pix of bunnies IN their habitats (large ones), close ups of litter pans and hay baskets, a bunny being held by a vet, things like that. In short, playing down the cuteness and emphasizing the work. Then leave with suggestions of better pets, such as guinea pigs or small fish or kittens. On the flyer, be sure to add a local shelter address and contact info. so if they do demand a bunny, the parents can at least rescue one.

[RabbitPam]

P.S. one more idea: if you want to talk and have info. but avoid the real bunny, bring in a stuffed toy bunny instead, that’s cute and cuddly. Explain all the pros of a stuffed toy over a live bunny. Make sure they can pet or cuddle it all they want – the way they could not do with a live one. It would be a visual aide without the slide show work.

[kamdynandsunshinesmom]

Thanks for the tips I actually took her in last year and she did really fine it is only for 10 minutes i actually live 2 minutes from the school.

[bellemarie]

My teacher is middle school used to bring her bunny in. He was totally calm! It depends on the bunny. But I kinda do agree that it might be counterproductive in the sense that kids will want a bunny once they see how cute yours is..

[Hazel]

I agree with bellemarie, kids that young won’t remember much of what you’ll try to teach them about bunny care, it’s probably more likely that they will start bugging their parents to get them a bunny when they get home from school…

[HoneysBuns]

I wouldn’t underestimate the kids listening to her. I used to work in a petting zoo, and when there is a stranger telling the kids what to do, they listen. I think it would be okay if the bunny is pretty outgoing and comfortable with new environments, but don’t attempt it if you have a shy/skittish bunny. I think my buns would be okay with it, just make sure to tell the kids no touching, and to stay calm and quiet. As a kid I remember lots of visits while in class/at camp where someone would bring in animals to teach children, and beside the occasional scared and loud kid, most children tend to appreciate that sort of interaction and don’t want to it.

Basically, if you think your bunny can handle it, make sure there are strict rules for the kids explained before they see the rabbit like no loud talking, no touching (unless you feel that a you bun can handle a couple gentle pets at a time, always use the 2 finger pet rule), no quick movements, and to remain sitting. Stress that you don’t want the bunny to be scared, otherwise you will have to take the bunny away.

Also I like the idea of printing out pamphlets with resources for information on rabbits to pass out to kids is a good idea, they can give them to their parents who will either be put of from the idea because of the amount of work, or perhaps willing to take on the challenge, in which case a couple local rescue contacts would be nice to add as well.

Good Luck! 

[SuperCheesetastic]

Rabbits and other small animals can be therapy animals, so i’m not totally against the idea of bringing your bunny to show the children… It soley depends on the personality of your rabbit. I thought of enrolling mine with a certain program for therapy animals… But, Penelope seems too… eh

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