Snails speed up learning (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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Snails speed up learning
11:00am Tuesday 15th November 2011 in Education By Emily Roberts
Dylan Mortimer, four, holds a giant African snail Buy this photo »
YOUNGSTERS got up close and personal with creepy crawlies including a tarantula, cockroach, snake and cricket at a Basingstoke nursery.
The creatures were brought along in cages by educational animal handlers Zoolab, who allowed the children to touch and even hold some of the animals.
Around 25 youngsters at Just Learning Nursery, in Aldermaston Road, were introduced to the animals, which included a snail, toad and millipede.
Beckie Duff, deputy manager at the nursery, said: “If they didn’t want to touch them then they didn’t have to. Some of the children were a bit hesitant and would only hold the animals with a member of staff.
"A lot of children don’t tend to get that experience and it’s another way of them learning about creatures from around the world. It will help towards their personal development and their knowledge and understanding.”
