My third year teaching my students and I had the opportunity to participate in a research project that involved working with dolphins. A colleague was working on her Doctorate and wanted to find out the effects of an outside stimulant with special needs children. At first the school district was reluctant to let us participant. The district eventually gave consent when they realized that the data could provide valuable information on how to stimulate some of these children. You must understand that most of my students were non-verbal and getting them to respond at times was quite a challenge. The Doctorate student established an agreement and program with the local aquarium. The aquarium had a special tank that they setup for us to use with the children and the dolphin, so that there would be no outside interference. Some of the participants would attend visits to the dolphin with class and other times with a parent or guardian. The study was very rewarding. The children were asked to hand a block to the teacher/instructor and then they could touch or throw a ball to the dolphin. At first we wondered if it would work as the children would not comply. The Doctorate student had the dolphin come to the children and rub their leg, hand or arm to stimulate them. The first time a child responded everyone at the tank cried. After that it was incredible as to what these children would do to get to touch the dolphin. We even had two children that jumped into the tank with the dolphin. Children that were non-verbal and often non-responsive were now responding to a dolphin. Within a few weeks their parents and I were able to get the children to respond to simple task when we showed them their picture with the dolphin and reminded them that they would be going back to visit soon. This was the most amazing research project that I the opportunity to participate in and that had a positive outcome for all those involved. The effects provided to be long lasting. Two years later they started an equestrian program to see if it would have the same effect with the children as the dolphin.
Wow! That experience sounds priceless!! How awesome that you were able to be a part of such a rewarding experience. I like how you guys exposed the children to an outside environment that allow them to be exposed to various stimuli!
ReplyDeleteThat experience sounds life changing. That resarch was very beneficial. I initially felt that subjecting children to research was just unaceptable. I stand corrected. I guess I was just viewing things one sided. Thanks for sharing that experience with us.
ReplyDeleteWow! What an amazing idea! It sounds silly but when I watch movies involving whales and dolphins i am amazed at how much they seem to understand. Animals have such a strong impact on teaching children whether it be dolphins, horses or dogs. What a great and inspiring story. Thank you for sharing!
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