Love for animals in daycare: This is how animal-assisted pedagogy changes learning!

Love for animals in daycare: This is how animal-assisted pedagogy changes learning!

On May 14, 2025, an important workshop on animal-assisted pedagogy took place on the Bühler campus. This event was part of a specialist day on new pedagogical approaches in daycare centers, which was organized by the KEA project. Dr. Ann-Katrin Bockmann, psychologist and head of the project, discussed the challenges that daycare centers face. The shortage of staff in these facilities has noticeably increased, affecting both specialists and children.

In many cases, professionals suffer from high emotional stress because large groups and inadequate staff affect the individual support of children. This leads to a reduced ability to bond and makes it more difficult to build relationships. In order to better deal with these challenges, professionals must learn to handle stressful situations in a team differently and to communicate openly.

Slow pedagogy as a solution

An innovative approach presented at the workshop is the concept of slow pedagogy. This approach aims to promote the conscious awareness of children's needs and to create space for creativity. Learning is playfully integrated into everyday routines without the emphasis on fixed processes. The principles of Slow Pedagogy are in line with the goals of the KEA project, which has been supporting daycare centers in Hildesheim with regard to language education and support since 2011. The promotion of language is viewed as a key competence for the children's educational path.

The specialist day also offered workshops on other topics such as managing institutions and philosophizing with children. The KEA sees itself as an advisory and impulse-providing institution that puts findings from research into practice. The willingness to be patient and support children's initiative is central to the successful implementation of slow pedagogy.

The role of animal-assisted pedagogy

Another aspect of the workshop was the importance of animal-assisted pedagogy for child development. This form of pedagogy not only promotes cognitive, emotional and motor development, but also enables children to take responsibility and learn to be considerate. Animals also support children's concentration and improve their language development through non-verbal communication and sensory perception. There is increasing recognition in education that contact with animals provides a valuable learning experience.

However, the use of animals in an educational context requires specialist knowledge and appropriate qualifications. The species-appropriate keeping of the animals, their selection and the provision of respectful treatment are essential requirements. The quality of interaction between professionals, animals and children is crucial to the success of this educational method.

Some children may grow up without pets, and contact with animals can be a novel and positive experience for them. In educational institutions, pets serve as catalysts for personal development and the acquisition of values. Intensive interaction with animals not only promotes social skills, but also enables positive experiences of self-efficacy.

The combination of animal-assisted and slow pedagogy could make a valuable contribution to improving pedagogical practice in daycare centers. The institutions have a duty to develop concepts that meet both the needs of the children and the welfare of the animals.

For detailed information and concepts on these topics, those interested can visit the websites of University of Hildesheim, Herder and E-Bookshelf visit.