Bringing Animals into the Elementary School Classroom: Current Situation in Quebec

Bringing Animals into the Elementary School Classroom: Current Situation in Quebec

• Catherine Simard, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Canada

• Joane Deneault, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Canada

doi : 10.18162/fp.2022.593

Résumé

Few studies have explored what the presence of animals brings to the classroom. Yet animals are kept in some classrooms, much to the pupils’ delight. This initial study aims to document the prevalence of this phenomenon in elementary schools in Quebec. The results of questionnaires filled out by 216 school principals show that animals are present in 51% of schools – mainly small mammals, fish and birds. While this practice entails some challenges, 82.4% of principals stated that they were in favour of it and cited its benefits for pupils’ learning and social-emotional development.

Abstract

Few studies have explored what the presence of animals brings to the classroom. Yet animals are kept in some classrooms, much to the pupils’ delight. This initial study aims to document the prevalence of this phenomenon in elementary schools in Quebec. The results of questionnaires filled out by 216 school principals show that animals are present in 51% of schools – mainly small mammals, fish and birds. While this practice entails some challenges, 82.4% of principals stated that they were in favour of it and cited its benefits for pupils’ learning and social-emotional development.