At Sammamish Montessori School (SMS), learning occurs beyond textbooks, and sometimes it involves fur, feathers of scales.

The Seattle’s Child article “Class pets teach responsibility, empathy and even geography” explores how class pets help children develop life skills through care and curiosity. Students learn not only about biology and habitats but also about compassion, teamwork, and responsibility.

The presence of class pets bring Montessori principle to life: children take turns feeding, observing, and recording their pets’ behaviors, turning everyday care into lessons in patience and empathy. Teachers weave geography, science, and social skills into these experiences, fostering and understanding of how living beings connect across environments and cultures.

This feature by Seattle’s Child beautifully captures how simple classroom additions can have a profound educational impact.