Proceedings of The International Conference on Advanced Research in Education
Year: 2019
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/educationconf.2019.03.115
Candide’s Innovative Teaching Method Including Purring Therapy
Céline BRUSA, Michèle BOURTON
ABSTRACT:
The Independent School – Candide uses an innovative teaching method, including Purring Therapy. It was founded by Michèle BOURTON for students aged 6 to 15 years old. For six years now, fifteen cats participate in the students’ lives in this extraordinary school and they play their role as therapists going round the classrooms looking for a hug or a cosy cushion to curl up on.Whilst respecting the animals’ freedom, they choose to come and go as they please, we have noticed important things in the children’s behaviour and academic performance. Purring therapy is now well-known in the scientific world and its proof is now accepted. In our school, students feel reassured thanks to the cats’ presence, they no longer worry about going to school and they don’t feel stressed anymore. We are seeking to develop a network of Candide Schools (whose pedagogy is not limited to the presence of felines) so that as many students as possible can benefit from these extraordinary learning conditions.
Keywords: learning; well-being; cats; relax; joy.