Children with pets 'are more confident'
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
By Pam Caulfield
Children who have pets are 'less stressed and more confident' Scientific research from the Pet Health Council has found that children who have regular contact with animals have higher levels of self confidence and reduced stress levels.
The work by Joseph Clarke School, Highams Park, London, for the visually impaired becomes more important in light of this research.
The Petplan Charitable Trust, which has donated grants to the Joseph Clarke School for 5 years, has found that animals enable children to learn more about caring for others.
All the children at Joseph Clarke school are visually impaired and have some degree of learning disabilities.
The Pet Health Council's research indicates 80% of children feel that their animal helped them interact better with their family and friends.
Petplan Charitable Trust has been providing Joseph Clarke School with financial support for a number of years and this money is used for the maintenance and general up keep of the animals.
In class 5 there is a mini menagerie of animals, including guinea pigs, fish and wild birds. The interaction with the animals allows the children to learn how to cope with the animals and how to ensure they are fed and healthy.
Ms Timmons, a teacher at Joseph Clarke School said, "The animals provide the children with a break from the academic day and give them the lifelong skills to care for something.
"We at Joseph Clarke intend to provide a stimulating and supportive atmosphere for the children and consequently offer first hand, tactile experiences, which is vital for pupils with a visual impairment. We are also adamant that the animals provide the children with a sense of responsibility and raises their self esteem."
David Simpson, Chair of Trustees for the Trust added, "We at Petplan Charitable Trust believe that animals can have an important impact on the development of children both mentally and emotionally.
"The grants that the Trust provides for Joseph Clarke go some way to making sure that their animals are fed, watered and cared for."
http://www.24dash.com/education/20089.htm
By Pam Caulfield
Children who have pets are 'less stressed and more confident' Scientific research from the Pet Health Council has found that children who have regular contact with animals have higher levels of self confidence and reduced stress levels.
The work by Joseph Clarke School, Highams Park, London, for the visually impaired becomes more important in light of this research.
The Petplan Charitable Trust, which has donated grants to the Joseph Clarke School for 5 years, has found that animals enable children to learn more about caring for others.
All the children at Joseph Clarke school are visually impaired and have some degree of learning disabilities.
The Pet Health Council's research indicates 80% of children feel that their animal helped them interact better with their family and friends.
Petplan Charitable Trust has been providing Joseph Clarke School with financial support for a number of years and this money is used for the maintenance and general up keep of the animals.
In class 5 there is a mini menagerie of animals, including guinea pigs, fish and wild birds. The interaction with the animals allows the children to learn how to cope with the animals and how to ensure they are fed and healthy.
Ms Timmons, a teacher at Joseph Clarke School said, "The animals provide the children with a break from the academic day and give them the lifelong skills to care for something.
"We at Joseph Clarke intend to provide a stimulating and supportive atmosphere for the children and consequently offer first hand, tactile experiences, which is vital for pupils with a visual impairment. We are also adamant that the animals provide the children with a sense of responsibility and raises their self esteem."
David Simpson, Chair of Trustees for the Trust added, "We at Petplan Charitable Trust believe that animals can have an important impact on the development of children both mentally and emotionally.
"The grants that the Trust provides for Joseph Clarke go some way to making sure that their animals are fed, watered and cared for."
http://www.24dash.com/education/20089.htm
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home