Benefits of Having a Fish Tank in a Special Needs’ Classroom
Jenny Holt, a freelance health writer for a number of health sites and magazines sent us the following article on ADHD to share it with our readers.
She also wrote the following articles on Bullying. Please, take a look at the following links:
CREATING SPACES THAT ARE ADHD- FRIENDLY FOR KIDS
HOW TO SPOT AND DEAL WITH CYBERBULLYING
CYBERULLYING – THE COMPLETE RESOURCE GUIDE
CREATING SPACES THAT ARE ADHD- FRIENDLY FOR KIDS
MOVING HOUSE: HOW TO MAKE MOVING EASIER ON YOU AND YOUR CHILD
HELPING CHILDREN RIDE THE STORM
THE POWER OF ART FOR ALL CHILDREN
BENEFITS OF PETS FOR KIDS WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES
SPECIAL NEEDS GARDENING: SOWING SEEDS ON MANY LEVELS
HELPING YOUR YOUNG CHILD DEAL WITH ECZEMA
THROWING AN INCLUSIVE BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR A CHILD WITH ADHD
SAFEGUARD YOUR CHILD’S LUNGS BY ASTHMA-PROOFING THEIR BEDROOM
THE IDEAL ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUR HOMESCHOOLED CHILD
THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND HOW TO TEACH IT TO YOUR CHILDREN
EDUCATING KIDS ABOUT ORTHODONTICS
HOW TO BUILD CHILDREN’S CONFIDENCE BY TEACHING THEM CLOTHES MAKING
DEALING WITH CHILDHOOD CANCER DIAGNOSIS IN YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD
HOW TO INTRODUCE MEDITATION TO YOUR KIDS
GETTING YOUR CHILD INVOLVED IN A PENPAL PROGRAM
NURTURING YOUR LITTLE CHEF: HOW TO INVOLVE CHILDREN IN THE KITCHEN
Thanks Jenny!
Benefits of Having a Fish Tank in a Special Needs’ Classroom
At present, there are approximately 7 million children with special needs attending school in the U.S., according to the National Center for Education Statistics. While countless children with Autism and ADHD go on to graduate on time, they may require additional time to process things and can benefit greatly from visual and emotional supports in their daily lives. Although most teachers and occupational therapists will acknowledge the immense benefits visual aids can have for children with special needs, not everyone is as eager to embrace one of the simplest yet most effective methods: animal-assisted therapies. While therapy using larger animals such as dogs, cats, and horses is not viable for a classroom, there is a way to enjoy all the benefits without having to turn your class into a mini petting zoo. Keeping a fish tank is not only a simple way to introduce an animal into the class, but also one that can have countless benefits to children with special needs.
Benefits of keeping fish in the class
Having a fish tank in the classroom can have a significant emotional impact of children with special needs. Studies have indicated that viewing a fish tank can significantly reduce anxiety and stress in children who typically experience intense emotions. While looking at fish occupies a child’s attention, it can also help to deter negative emotions while also keeping frustration and anger at bay. Both witnessing how to take care of the fish and being actively involved in it can go a long way in teaching a child with special needs how to be responsible. This responsibility will not only be of great benefit in the classroom, but life in general. From an educational point of view, a fish tank can be used to teach many aspects of science, including basic water chemistry and the cycle of life.
Caring for your classroom fish
Taking good care of your classroom fish tank is extremely important if you want the children to enjoy as many benefits as possible while ensuring the fish are as healthy and comfortable in their surroundings as possible. Feeding the fish as required and keeping the tank clean are simple yet important tasks. What and how often your fish need to be fed will depend on what type they are. The species of fish will also determine whether the water needs to be heated and aerated or whether a basic fishbowl would suffice. Taking an eco-friendly approach toward the upkeep of your tank can prove to be a great advantage to both your learners and the environment. While the children will learn about the negative impact we have on the environment and how to negate it, the environment will benefit from less energy and fewer chemicals being used.
Some fish are better to keep than others
When choosing a fish for the classroom, you need to keep things such as available space and your budget in mind. There are, in fact, many suitable fish to choose from although some have proven to be an overall better option than others. Goldfish are among the most common aquarium fish and also one of the cheapest and easiest to care for. You do not need an extravagant tank to keep goldfish in and they can be fed flakes, pellets, or live food such as brine shrimp and earthworms. Goldfish are endearing creatures and children are naturally mesmerized by them. Brightly-colored Tetra is another good classroom choice as the children will be drawn to their vibrant appearance. They are easy to care for and do best when kept in groups of more than 10.
Keeping a fish tank in the classroom can benefit children with special needs in many ways. As long as the fish are card for, they can be used to provide educational and emotional enrichment to children of all ages.
Kidsinco Related Playscripts:
The Fisherman and His Wife
The Fisherman
The Little Mermaid
David and His Friends
The Fox and the Wolf
Why the Bear’s Tail is Short