Publish at July 03 2024 Updated July 03 2024
What makes up a classroom? Generally speaking, most of the furniture consists of a desk for the teacher and tables (or desks) for the students. At the front of the classroom is the blackboard or whiteboard, sometimes with a projector or screen for all to see. As for the rest, it all depends on the teacher in charge of the class. Some will set up libraries stocked with books, others will bring in small equipment for tinkering or stretching, while the more technophile will create places where learners can dabble in digital technology.
Living things also have their place in the classroom. Some teachers will choose to provide a variety of plants to create green corners in the classroom, or turn to a wildlife representative. Many students have experienced the presence of rodents, fish, rabbits, lizards, crickets or even dogs and cats. Nevertheless, many may wonder if the presence of an animal in the classroom is just a source of distraction.
Not necessarily, if the many individual experiments carried out around the world are anything to go by. The benefits of animals are quickly apparent among learners, particularly in the psychological sphere. When we think of pet therapy, we often think of hospital patients, the elderly or people anxious about flying in airports. However, it is also useful for schoolchildren, with, for example, dogs trained in personal assistance.
These can help students on the autism spectrum to socialize. In this school in Normandy, the presence of a golden retriever enabled a school phobic student to attend school and feel comfortable. On the other side of the Atlantic, a high-school English teacher regularly brings her two doggies to class to motivate teenagers or reduce the anxiety of certain students.
These animals in the classroom make everyone feel better, simply by being there and being petted. They develop a relationship other than that of teacher and pupil, which can be reassuring for the latter. An animal doesn't judge school performance; it welcomes humans as they are, and is there if they need it. And that's what makes the class even more special. You only have to read this story of a leopard gecko that almost died and was saved by a vet to understand the affection that teachers and learners feel, and not just for mammals like cats or dogs.
A docile animal won't really create a distraction. Some studies show that, on the contrary, their presence encourages students' attention and engagement. It's also an original way for teachers to approach educational activities from an animal angle. The visit of assistance dogs to this kindergarten class was an opportunity for the little ones to write words to the canines, and thus to practice writing.
Animals can be used as a common thread to address questions of language, life and earth sciences or mathematics. For example, start with the bowl of water given to the dog and calculate how much it has drunk after a period of time. Is it half, a third or a quarter? This American teacher uses different animals such as an axolotl, a hedgehog or a hamster to talk about animal bodies, create mazes and so on.
Of course, bringing an animal into the classroom is no simple matter. The first step is to ensure the safety of the students. This means avoiding allergenic species and ensuring that the animal is docile and comfortable with the children. For dogs and cats, it's best if they've been trained as therapy or assistance animals, so they don't create more of a ruckus than anything else. You also need to make sure you have enough space to give them a place of their own.
The animal must also be taken into account. It's not a stuffed animal. Everyone has special needs, whether it's a canine, a snail or a fish, and you need to think about the budget to meet those needs. Many animal protection organizations are uncomfortable with the introduction of animals into the classroom, as it raises ethical questions. Is there a place for wildlife in the classroom? Who will care for the animal after school or during the vacations?
Unfortunately, many rodents and lizards are abandoned in shelters as soon as the last bell rings before the summer break. To avoid this, perhaps it's best for the animal to belong to the teacher who will look after it, including at home, to prevent constant changes of home.
If humans need respite, so do animals. Teachers need to be sensitive to the signs of an animal needing peace and quiet. It's a good idea to choose days of the week when your pet is present, and give him other days off so that he can recover from the intense attention he'll receive from the students. All this, plus the school's approval, must be taken into account when deciding whether or not to integrate an animal into the classroom. The benefits are there, but they come with many responsibilities.
Image : Pixabay
References
Brouillette, Raphaël. "Un chien parmi les élèves à Saint-Tite." Radio-Canada. Last updated: January 4, 2024. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2036519/zootherapie-chien-ecole-saint-tite.
"Cats as co-teachers: how classroom pets enhance learning environments." A1 Savannahs. Last updated April 16, 2024. https://www.a1savannahs.com/blog/2024/4/16/cats-as-co-teachers-how-classroom-pets-enhance-learning-environments.
David, Aurélien. "An animal in the classroom: is it a good idea?" RTBF. Last updated: August 24, 2023. https://www.rtbf.be/article/un-animal-en-classe-est-ce-une-bonne-idee-11245022.
"Dogs in schools: animal mediation to care for pupils." Curious! Last updated: September 8, 2023. https://www.curieux.live/2023/09/08/des-chiens-dans-les-ecoles-la-mediation-animale-pour-prendre-soin-des-eleves/.
Gate, Patrick. "Dogs in schools as a pedagogical tool." Pathfinders. Last updated: July 31, 2023. https://leseclaireurs.canalplus.com/articles/decouvrir/des-chiens-dans-les-ecoles-comme-outil-pedagogique.
Hoggan, Sarah. "The positive impact of classroom pets." Psychology Today. Last updated February 20, 2024. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/fluent-in-fur/202402/the-positive-impact-of-classroom-pets.
Holtz, Liz C. "4 reasons to end classroom 'pet' programs." World Animal Protection US. Last updated April 4, 2023. https://www.worldanimalprotection.us/latest/blogs/4-reasons-end-classroom-pet-programs/.
Legault, Joséanne. "A pet in the classroom: a good thing or not?" Le Voyageur. Last updated: December 2, 2023. https://levoyageur.ca/tapage/2023-2024/novembre2023/2023/12/02/un-animal-de-compagnie-dans-la-classe-une-bonne-chose-ou-non/.
McLogan, Jennifer. "Long Island teacher uses classroom pets to teach first graders social & emotional needs along with science." CBS News. Last updated: October 24, 2023. https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/long-island-elementary-school-classroom-pets/.
Teich, David. "Therapy dogs in schools: what exactly do they do?" ManyPets. Last updated September 1, 2023. https://manypets.com/us/blog/therapy-dogs-in-schools/.
"Therapy dogs enhance learning for young children." College of Education and Human Ecology. Last updated: February 28, 2024. https://ehe.osu.edu/news/listing/therapy-dogs-enhance-learning-young-children.
"A dog to facilitate inclusion at school." France Inter. Last updated: June 20, 2023. https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/podcasts/esprit-d-initiative/esprit-d-initiative-du-mardi-20-juin-2023-9239820.
"Unlocking the benefits of having dogs in the classroom." Dogs Connect. Last updated: December 15, 2023. https://dogsconnect.net.au/unlocking-the-benefits-of-having-dogs-in-the-classroom/.
"Education: in Normandy, a dog comes to the aid of schoolchildren." Franceinfo. Last updated: January 25, 2024. https://www.francetvinfo.fr/france/normandie/eure/education-en-normandie-un-chien-vient-en-aide-a-des-collegiens_6325608.html.
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