In November, two little kittens were taken in at the Éguzon-Chantôme elementary school (Indre). For the teaching team, these new residents provide many benefits to the students, including being more focused in class and more empathetic with others.
The idea is surprising to say the least, but it also has the gift of doing good to students. In the department of Indre, the elementary school of Éguzon-Chantôme adopted at the beginning of November two adorable red kittens, brothers, who respond to the sweet first name Asterix and Obelix. “This is’an animal mediation project. We wanted animals in the premises as close as possible to the children to create a real interaction “, explained the director of the establishment to West France. Before their arrival, three hens and three rabbits were already present in the playground.
The objective of this experiment is to “promote student concentration” and at the same time, “make them aware of the animal cause”, details the municipality of Eguzon-Chantôme in a Facebook post. The animals were chosen by thePlush association 36, which works among other things for the defense of cats and dogs. “They were already socialized and not very fearful. Today they are very gentle and love hugs”, reports the director. And the results with the students are already noticeable.
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“The children show seriousness and maturity”
This new cohabitation provides multiple benefits to school children. It also helps to reveal certain behaviors. “The children show great seriousness and even maturity. There are students who have difficulties in class, but who prove to be very serious and very diligent. This allows to really work on human qualities and this is something that is also important to develop and learn in school “, explains Sophie Grenon, the director, to France Blue Berry.
The children are more than happy to have these two new companions. “I try not to watch them too much because I don’t want to mess with them. But it’s so cute! So I stroke them and do my job with them,” confides Naomie with a smile to our colleagues. Only one of his comrades is allergic to cat hair. The two felines therefore cannot roam around his classroom. But other children can come and see them during recess.