Pets help kids learn life skills in classes
Guide dogs for the blind, a house full of cats to fight loneliness or keep company, a child’s first pet tortoise — animals have always assisted humans in various ways. Their kindness doesn’t end there, they are now helping Dubai students inside classrooms with their social skills, behaviour and with the subject of science. Two schools in Dubai told Khaleej Times that they bring in all sorts of animals inside classrooms to help students learn skills that a feline or the “man’s best friend” can do better than a human.
Students at the Dubai British School Jumeirah Park see falcons, dogs, cats, fish, rabbits visiting them quite often. “Animals are brought into school as part of the planned curriculum — usually linked to science. We use a thematic approach, so to bring some of the learning to life and to provide real learning, we invite animals and their owners for a visit,” said Heather Mann, principal of the school.
“In addition to the academic benefits of learning about real animals in science, animals can support the development of personal and social skills, positive values such as empathy, respect, responsibility, caring, curiosity and appreciation. We have also recently introduced the Reading Dog programme to provide children a real purpose for reading and development of literacy skills.”
Students must develop a caring, responsible and respectful attitude towards animals, especially those who do not have pets at home, according to Mann.
She said that “many children are fearful of all animals”, so the school tries to provide a connection and a “deeper understanding” between the student and animal. “This brings a greater awareness of the needs of others, supports the development of positive relationships and develops increased sensitivity such as the need to be gentle,” Mann said.
Students at the GEMS FirstPoint School also welcome animals as guests into their classrooms. Students have their own Desert School Programme, which currently includes a tortoise, corn snake, fish, terrapins and a mountain horned lizard.
“Bringing animals into the classroom not only enriches the learning environment but also encourages student development in a number of ways,” said Zoe Downes, the elementary teacher at the school. “They encourage social development, especially with children who have social difficulties and also English-language learners.
“Learning how to care for ani- mals instils a sense of responsibility and allows children to directly learn how their actions can affect others. We are currently working with our special education needs department and allowing children with various sensory difficulties to use the room and work in a calm environment.”
Downes said animals can enrich learning in a number of ways and in different subjects, for example in maths. Students can learn how much a tortoise weighs, how long it is and link it to estimation and recording.
In geography, which country does the lizard come from can arouse the curiosity of the child. They can use different forms of media to research on animals and their habitats. “Science lessons can be enhanced in a number of ways. Being exposed to animals gives children a wider knowledge about animal kingdom — to see, feel, and touch them as opposed to just looking at pictures and videos,” she said. “Students are given the opportunity to observe these animals and the changes that they undertake over periods of time.”
We use a thematic approach, so to bring some of the learning to life and to provide real learning, we invite animals and their owners for a visit.” Heather Mann, principal, Dubai British School Jumeirah Park
Being exposed to animals’ give children exposure to the wider animal kingdom — see, feel, and touch them— as opposed to just looking at pictures and videos.” Zoe Downes, elementary teacher, GEMS FirstPoint School