Animals in Preschool — How Alpacas and Goats Support Child Development

Alpacas, Goats, Dogs, and Snakes — Our Unconventional Teachers

At Siedmiu Krasnoludków, we believe children learn best through direct experience of the world. That’s why we’ve been organizing animal encounters for years — not as a one-off attraction, but as a regular element supporting the emotional, social, and sensory development of our children.

On the preschool grounds and during educational trips, children interact with alpacas, goats, dogs, and even snakes. Each of these animals offers a different experience — alpacas teach gentleness and patience, goats bring plenty of laughter and energy, dogs build a sense of security, and snakes help overcome fears while providing unique tactile sensations.

Our animal sessions feel very natural. Children don’t watch the animals from behind a barrier — they feed them, pet them, brush them, and observe them up close. Every session is led by an experienced animal handler working alongside our teachers. Before a child approaches an animal, they learn how to behave so as not to frighten either themselves or the animal. This is the first step toward building respect for other living beings.

For many children, these encounters are their very first close experience with an animal — especially in an urban setting where contact with nature is limited. We see the enormous significance of these moments. A child who is afraid of dogs reaches out on their own after a few visits from a therapy labrador. A child who struggles with emotional regulation calms down near a quiet alpaca faster than with any other activity.

What Science Says About Animal Therapy for Preschool-Aged Children

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) has solid scientific foundations. Research conducted at universities in Vienna, Cambridge, and Washington confirms that regular contact with animals produces measurable benefits for children aged 3–6.

Reduced cortisol levels. Research published in Frontiers in Psychology (2019) found that just 10 minutes of contact with a friendly animal lowered cortisol — the stress hormone — in preschool children by 15–25%. This is not a placebo effect. Saliva measurements before and after animal interaction clearly confirm this mechanism.

Empathy development. Children who have regular contact with animals develop the ability to recognize emotions in others — both in animals and people — more quickly. A German longitudinal study (Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg, 2020) conducted with a group of 200 preschoolers found that children participating in animal therapy programs scored higher on affective empathy tests after 6 months.

Emotional regulation. Animals provide immediate, authentic feedback. If a child shouts, the alpaca moves away. If the child is calm, the alpaca comes closer. This mechanism teaches children something that can’t be explained with words — that their behavior has a direct impact on their surroundings.

Sensory integration. The feel of fur, watching an animal’s movements, listening to its sounds, the smell — contact with animals simultaneously engages multiple senses. For children with sensory processing difficulties, this multisensory experience is extremely valuable and can complement sensory integration therapy led by a therapist.

How Animal Contact Develops Empathy and Emotional Regulation

Theory is one thing — but we observe these effects every day. Here are some situations from our preschool that illustrate how it works in practice.

Responsibility through care. When children feed the goats, they must measure the right portion, stay calm, and wait for their turn. This is an exercise in patience, sharing, and responsibility — but in a context that is fascinating to the child, not imposed.

Overcoming fears. Snakes are a perfect example. Most children’s (and adults’) first reaction is fear. But when the handler calmly explains how a corn snake behaves, what it likes, and what scares it, children begin to see it as a living being, not a threat. The moment a child voluntarily lets the snake wrap around their wrist is a huge experience. They learn that fear can be tamed, that courage is worthwhile, and that first impressions can be deceiving.

Calming down and being present. Alpacas have a unique temperament — they are quiet, gentle, and highly sensitive to a person’s mood. Hyperactive children who struggle to slow down naturally become calmer around alpacas. Not because someone told them to — but because the alpaca responds to calm. It’s the best lesson in self-regulation we can offer.

Nonverbal communication. Working with animals teaches children to read body language. Are the goat’s ears forward or pulled back? Is the dog wagging its tail or tucking it? Children quickly become attentive observers — and this skill translates directly into their relationships with peers.

Safety — How We Protect Both Children and Animals

Animal contact at preschool requires strict safety protocols. We take this very seriously — both for the children and the animals.

Qualified animal handlers. All sessions are led by experienced animal therapy instructors with appropriate certifications. The animals participating in sessions are trained for contact with children and regularly examined by a veterinarian.

The principle of voluntary participation. No child is forced to interact with an animal. If someone prefers to watch from a distance, they have every right to. Often, children who stood on the sidelines during the first sessions initiate contact after a few meetings. We respect each child’s pace.

Allergies and health. Before every session with animals, we verify allergy information from the children’s health records. Children with fur allergies participate in an adapted way — they can observe, feed from a distance, or work with animals that don’t trigger allergic reactions (like snakes).

Hygiene. After every animal contact, children wash their hands with antibacterial soap. The space where sessions took place is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. We maintain the same sanitary standards as we do for activities in the preschool garden.

Animal welfare. We care not only for the children but also for the animals. Sessions last only as long as the animal is comfortable. If an alpaca is tired, the session ends — and that, too, is a lesson for the children: respect for another being’s needs. Animals are provided with water, shade, quiet, and the option to withdraw at any time.

Animal contact is one of those preschool experiences that children remember for years. For us, it’s not just an attraction — it’s a deliberate tool supporting emotional, social, and sensory development. When we watch a child calmly brushing an alpaca and quietly whispering “don’t be scared” — we know these sessions are making a difference.