by Bretonrae

Created on: January 27, 2009   Last Updated: January 31, 2009

What preschoolers can learn from animals

As a practical example of what preschoolers can learn from animals, I submit the following story about Jimmy who was having a difficult time managing his own emotions because of his new baby sister. Though small children don't often express in words how they deal with life's problems, they do internalize and apply learning behaviors to problem situations. Jimmy needed to experience the joy of becoming a "big boy" in order to minimize fears associated with losing his mother's focused attention on him as the youngest child in the home. Learning to care for a small creature and being trusted to follow-up with that care gave him a lot of self-confidence. He surmised then that when creatures are small and helpless, they need to be cared for and when those creatures become learned, trusted and competent that they can become important care givers themselves. The whole process as described in the following story helped Jimmy learn that he was now succeeding in becoming a valued member of his home and school in his own right.

Oreo 'clucked' happily as Jimmy held her up on his shoulder. Being a well socialized Guinea pig she voiced her approval of the carrot and orange bits proffered from his small hands. Jimmy smiled as he patted her fluffy black and white coat. "I like carrots and oranges, too, Oreo," he said. "I'm sorry no one was here to give you any yesterday." "Don't you know we don't come to our school then?" Oreo snuggled up against his neck. Jimmy giggled and then using both hands he carefully replaced her into the small cage and closed the door. Oreo disappeared quickly into her hollow brown log, but peeked out just enough so Jimmy could still see her bright eyes and pink nose. "I think she's getting bigger now, teacher. She's my friend 'cause I'm careful and give her good things to eat." "That's so nice", I said. "Isn't it fun to have a little friend like that? You do a good job remembering to take care of her everyday. I'm glad you learned how to do that."

Jimmy's mother arrived to pick him up just as the children had stacked the last of the blocks neatly away. When the little boy saw his mother standing in the doorway holding his new baby sister, he cried out loudly "No! I don't want to go home! I want to stay here with Oreo!" His mother said firmly, "Jimmy, get your backpack out of your cubby, please, we need to go right now and pick up your brother and sister from school." Pulling the backpack from his bright yellow cubicle, Jimmy ran out of the door wearing a menacing frown.

The next day I spoke with Jimmy's mother on the phone. "How is Jimmy dealing with having a new baby at home", I asked. "I think he's having problems because he doesn't seem very happy at all about her", answered mom. "I know your incredibly busy," I said, "but I think I have an idea that may help him to learn to adjust. Would you mind taking Oreo home for the weekends? I've taught Jimmy how to take care of her and it would really be a help to the classroom. I think he would learn a lot from having Oreo there."

When Friday afternoon finally came, it was great to see Jimmy smile so confidently as his mother and I put Oreo's cage beside him on the seat of the family minivan.

On Monday morning, that confident smile was still part of Jimmy's face as he talked excitedly with the other children in his class about Oreo and about his special job last weekend. I know it might seem odd, but I swear that Oreo seemed to wear a smile, too!

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