ICAWC

Education is important as young people can make a difference.

Firstly, what do you want out of your education programme? Children will pass on your message to family and friends so make sure it is one that will help make positive changes in animal welfare.

Promote your key messages to children. They have great pester power. But remember to keep it realistic, don’t ask them to neuter as they can’t but they can make sure their dog has water every day.

Children can understand only one message at a time. So keep it simple, use resources relevant to your age group to get across your message. Use photos booklets and toys, be relevant. With the very young move quickly don’t linger with older children encourage debate.

In schools you can find out that is important to them what are the issues in their community. If there have been bad experiences change them into positive ones.

Top tips for setting up school workshops:

• Find out who else is visiting these schools, know what is happening where you are.
• Talk to teachers, find out how you can fit welfare into the lesson plans.
• Outline your aims, what do you want to achieve.
• What makes you special, stand out, highlight low cost and minimal involvement of staff
• Are you allowed to take dogs in the school? Take testimonials to show you are responsible and the dog is too.
• While you are waiting to be allowed into schools, investigate, research and plan.

Its not just schools, libraries and youth groups are also places you will find groups of children.

Why do schools like visitors? There are no transport issues! And they can build relationships,  spread the word, tell people you are about and are willing to help. Offer repeat visits, and demonstrate your commitment to education.

Enforce positive experiences; it will be the first time meeting a dog for many, and first impressions are important. Get the kids to the centre, get them involved. Ask them to create a poster as feedback is important!

If you don’t have time train the trainer to get your message passed on.

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Animal Welfare by admin