Connecting animals and children in early childhood : in early childhood

Understand the value of connecting animals and children From family pets and wild animals to toys, stuffed animals, and media images, animals are a central part of every child's landscape. This book examines the reasons why children should interact and connect with real animals, and it identifies the rich learning that results. You'll find heaps of foundational support and practical ideas to create authentic experiences that bring children and all kinds of species of animals together—including many adaptations if live animals are not permitted in your setting. Connecting Animals and Children in Early Childhood Examines the basic qualities that make animals so appealing to children Explains how animals impact children's cognitive, social-emotional, and inter- and intrapersonal development and growth Includes an overview of the many ways animals are present in children's lives Introduces authentic experiences with animals that are supportive of children's understanding and learning, and respectful to both animals and people Provides real-life examples of how to bring animals into your classroom with suggestions for planning, ideas for finding the right pet, and resources for making experiences meaningful, relevant, and joyful for children Patty Born Selly is executive director of the National Center for STEM Elementary Education at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota. As the founder of Small Wonders, an educational consulting company offering services to schools, faith-based communities, and other organizations, Patty has developed hundreds of classes to help programs incorporate nature, science, and green education.

Understand the value of connecting animals and children

From family pets and wild animals to toys, stuffed animals, and media images, animals are a central part of every child’s landscape. This book examines the reasons why children should interact and connect with real animals, and it identifies the rich learning that results. You’ll find heaps of foundational support and practical ideas to create authentic experiences that bring children and all kinds of species of animals together—including many adaptations if live animals are not permitted in your setting.

Connecting Animals and Children in Early Childhood

Examines the basic qualities that make animals so appealing to children
Explains how animals impact children’s cognitive, social-emotional, and inter- and intrapersonal development and growth
Includes an overview of the many ways animals are present in children’s lives
Introduces authentic experiences with animals that are supportive of children’s understanding and learning, and respectful to both animals and people
Provides real-life examples of how to bring animals into your classroom with suggestions for planning, ideas for finding the right pet, and resources for making experiences meaningful, relevant, and joyful for children

Patty Born Selly is executive director of the National Center for STEM Elementary Education at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota. As the founder of Small Wonders, an educational consulting company offering services to schools, faith-based communities, and other organizations, Patty has developed hundreds of classes to help programs incorporate nature, science, and green education.

"Animals appeal to children's curiosity, bring enthusiasm to their learning, and enrich their daily experiences. This book emphasizes the reasons why children's interactions and connections with animals are important, and it describes the valuable social-emotional development that results. It combines research, anecdotes, and a number of creative ideas that caregivers and educators can use to create authentic experiences for children age three through eight. These ideas incorporate all kinds of animals in a variety of ways-including adaptations if live animals are not permitted in the child care or learning environment. Patty Born Selly is Executive Director of the National Center for STEM Elementary Education at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2005, she founded Small Wonders, an educational consulting company offering services to schools, faith-based communities, and other organizations wishing to incorporate STEM and nature education to their programs. Patty also serves as adjunct faculty at Metropolitan State University in Minnesota, where she teaches classes on children and nature and environmental education. "-- Provided by publisher "This book presents the reasons why children's interactions and connections with animals are important, and it describes the valuable social-emotional development that results. It combines research, anecdotes, and a number of creative ideas that caregivers and educators can use to create authentic experiences for children"-- Provided by publisher This Resource Helps Educators And Caregivers Understand Why All Species Of Animals Are Valuable To Children's Early Learning.