What do children learn from and with pets?

• This study aims to promote learning and development in young children. The overall objective at the study is to investigate the impact of pets on preschool children's desire to learn. What do children learn from and with pets? The research shows that closeness to animals has good effects on quality of life/learning (Beetz, 2007). Socio-cultural theories and developmental pedagogy are used in order to study children’s learning in the preschool ages (Vygotskij, 1978, Pramling Samuelsson & Asplund Carlsson, 2008). This study employed a qualitative exploratory research method with the aim of gaining knowledge concerning a group of 24 children, aged 4-5 years. The children and their families were informed that they could withdraw their participation at any time and that confidentiality was guaranteed. The results are presented as two main categories: 1) The pet supports the child in their learning and development process and 2) The child is the teacher of the pet. The results show that pets provide children with positive experiences and a sense of feeling good. When a child is doing activities with an animal or tries to teach an animal some exercises, the child receives a response from the animal. This leads on to new experiences and an increased knowledge regarding social behaviour. Using pets for educational purposes in preschool might stimulate an interest in animal care and a commitment to the world’s wildlife and fauna in general. Sustainable development begins with the children. This is the best investment that any society can make.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

preschool children

learning

development

animal

socio-cultural perspective

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)