AFA - Teaching Different Age Groups

World Society for the Protection of Animals

Teaching

different age

groups


In this session you will….

• See different activities suitable for different

age groups of school children

• Learn how to run education activities with

adults

• Receive tips on how to deal with mixed age

groups.

• Discover websites where you can get AW

education resources for all age groups

1


Teaching young children

• Child friendly teaching-

• Activity based

• Short session

• Simple language

2


Things to consider-

• Disturbing images

• Gender stereotyping

• Embarrassment talking about feelings

• Positivity

3


Disturbing images

• Think about necessity for under 9s

• Replacements-models, cartoons

• Provide warning

• Ask advice from their teachers

4


Gender Stereotyping• Do not reinforce

• Deal with sensitivity

• Wording and pictures

Embarrassment • Over 8 years old

• Linked to gender stereotypes

• Encourage don’t force

5


Positivity

• Use positive language

• Always show change is

possible

• Always give options for

action

• Importance of small changes

6


Types of activities

• Youngest (4-7 year olds) -

• Storytelling

• Songs

• Puppets

• Games

• Drawing/colouring/painting

• Simple discussion

• Competition

7


Types of activities

• 8-11 year olds

• Story telling

• Simple surveys

• Quizzes

• Role play

• Creative writing

• ‘Art’

• Competition

8


Teaching Adults

• More varied situations

• Non-formal situations

• More technical subjects

9


Things to consider…

• Emphasise the reason to learn

• Encourage independent learning

• Set up a favourable learning environment

• Planning still needed

10


Emphasise the reason • Link to real life

• Want practical and positive

outcome

Independent learning • Discover rather than being told

• Increase interest and motivation

11


Positive learning

environment • Icebreakers/ Interaction

• Increase comfort

Planning still needed• Adapt your lesson to your public

• Help to stay in control

12


Mixed groups

• Community ……. outreach/ education/

engagement/ involvement

• Common activity

• Presents problems!

13


Possible problems with community

education events

• Range of ages and backgrounds

• Unknown audience

• Less than ideal learning environments

• Rolling audience

14


How to mitigate for these

problems….

• Target specific events

• Keep it simple

• Keep it fun

• Repeat message frequently

15


Target specific events

• Do some research

• Make limited resources go

further

• Don’t be afraid to say no

16


Keep it simple and Keep it fun

• Good general advice!

• Aim for majority understanding

• Assume anyone could be in the audience

• Be clear on your message

• Provide an excuse for fun

17


Repeat message frequently

• Reach everyone

• Minimise risk of misunderstanding

• Make it child friendly

18


Review

• Some differences by age group

• Problems of mixed community groups can be

mitigated

• Be prepared!

19


AW Education Resources

• WSPA English website:

www.animal-education.org

• WSPA resources available in Thai on:

http://kids-d.swu.ac.th

Search on WSPA

20


“Tips for Animal Welfare

educators” WSPA guide

• Email me at [email protected]

21


THANK YOU!

Documents

AFA - Teaching Different Age Groups