The group of children from the V.H. Korolenko Special Teaching and Educational Complex, who spend their summer in the Berminvody resort, have visited the Social and Humanitarian Multi-Complex. Here, the specialists of the Centre for Psychosocial Rehabilitation gave special lessons with animal therapists.
The group of 45 visually impaired children aged 7-16, including the blind ones, obtained a diverse sensory experience communicating with different animals.
“Children contacted with different animals – a horse, donkeys, Alaskan Malamute and Labrador Retriever puppies were brought to them. We think that it is a unique experience for these children – to obtain these impressions simultaneously, and we are sure that it will positively affect their general emotional state,” the head of the Feldman Ecopark Centre for Psychosocial Rehabilitation Inna Vashkite tells.
The specialists of the Feldman Ecopark Centre for Psychosocial Rehabilitation have already gave lessons to the children from the V.H. Korolenko Special Teaching and Educational Complex within the framework of the project “Kindness Lessons,” and the children already know many of the animals. “However, it is the first time for us to carry out an experiment, when several species of animals are gathered at the same time (giving different feelings and sensory experience) in one place,” Inna Vashkite says. “Children’s emotional and tactile outlook widens. We understand that visually impaired children mainly guide themselves by their feelings, hearing. Here, they obtain such a rich sensory experience that will diversify their everyday life, and that makes them happier. Children get to know the surrounding world in its diversity, learn to adapt to new things faster, and to overcome fears of the unknown, which is definitely very important.”
Moreover, an interesting tour of Feldman Ecopark was prepared for the little visitors. It included the acquaintance with friendly visitors of the Petting Zoo.
“The trips like this one are very important for children, as they develop tactile and spatial senses. Children understand what the animals are. It is especially important for blind children. Our children meet animals happily and remember their names. They visit Feldman Ecopark with pleasure, as well as the lessons given by the specialists of the Centre, who come to the school as volunteers,” Iryna Pereverzeva, the elementary school teacher in the V.H. Korolenko Special Teaching and Educational Complex notes.
The lessons with the children from V.H. Korolenko Special Teaching and Educational Complex within the framework of the project “Kindness Lessons” will continue with the beginning of the educational year. Inna Vashkite told that once a week, small groups of children (for it to be possible to work more profoundly with them) would visit Feldman Ecopark while the weather is warm. When the cold weather comes, the specialists of the Centre for Psychosocial Rehabilitation will give lessons in the teaching and educational complex.
