Dunbar Elementary, like other MSCS schools, is raising the bar when it comes to creative learning in a unique environment, especially when animals are involved.

This week, six Dunbar CLUE students not only got to visit a petting zoo at another school, but they also went to a local PetSmart store to learn about the different animals that can be adopted as pets: dogs, cats, etc.

“This is the first field trip for the CLUE students,” Principal Lawanda Shaw said, adding later that her first graders went to a pumpkin patch last week at Cedar Hill Farm, where they also have a petting zoo, and fourth-grade students went to the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. “We try to do field trips monthly for different grade levels.”

Petting zoos can have a significant and multifaceted impact on children, influencing their physical, emotional, and cognitive development in various ways. These are just some of the benefits of going to a petting zoo:

• When children interact with animals, they can foster feelings of empathy and compassion. They can also learn more about the animals’ needs and feelings.
• Children will develop a sense of responsibility when caring for animals.
• Children learn how to approach these living creatures, especially when they are in their natural habitats. 
• Studies suggest that being around animals, including those in petting zoos, can reduce stress and anxiety in children. The calming effects of interacting with friendly animals help lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and promote relaxation. 
• Petting zoos offer hands-on educational opportunities that help children learn about different species, habitats, and ecosystems. Children can directly observe animal behavior, helping to reinforce concepts they may learn in the classroom.

Field trips offer an invaluable opportunity for hands-on learning, personal growth, and social development. By stepping out of the classroom, students gain new perspectives and practical knowledge that make their education richer and more relevant to the world around them.

This is why field trips and petting zoos are so important to Dunbar Elementary, as their mission is to “RAISE THE BAR THROUGH THE ARTS, ACADEMICS, & EXCELLENCE.”

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