Developing a Program of Animal Assisted Education for Preschooler
；Interviewing with nursery teachers

Fumika Konaka and Sayoko Hamano
Teikyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Animal Assisted Education (AAE) interacting with animals might impact child psychososial development. Experiencing the care of close animals could be an important factor for children to understand to realize the value of life. It is important to teach the value of life to children from an early age. The primary purpose of this study was to develop a program of AAE for preschooler. There was the necessity of adopting a vision of nursery teachers in the program. In order to collect necessary data for this study, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 10 nursery teachers. The items of Interview were images of a dog and points of attention when preschooler interacted with a dog. As a result, the program had to include four tasks: (1) Teaching the value of life. (2) The scrupulous attention to hygiene. (3) Considering children who have allergies. (4) Considering children who dislike a dog. Base on the results, the program of AAE was developed. Furthermore, the program of AAE was simulated by a volunteer of AAE and her dog, undergraduate students majoring in education. The students played the role of a nursery teacher and preschoolers. The program was discussed and improved.