We can bring any of our mobile services to a school or nursey, we can also tailor a package to suit your schools needs. Here are some examples of what we have provided for our local schools.
Please get in touch for availability and pricing as its all custom sessions
Nurture groups – Suitable for weekly sessions 1 hr, 6-12 children, with 2 members of farm staff and supported by 2 school staff
We will bring a selection of different animals each week, the children will learn about animal care, interactions, we will talk about social behaviors, how and why we train animals. Each session will also include a related activity.
Eg Bird week, we will bring in a selection of our birds, we spend time with the birds talking about their behaviours, their likes, how we make the feel safe. We will then look at their eggs, build nests with materials we can find if we are outside or materials we bring in if indoors, we will use chopsticks to imitate beaks, we will search for a good place to pace our nest and see if it will hold our egg.
Animal interactions offer significant benefits for nurture groups, supporting emotional, social, and behavioral development in children and young people. Here’s why they are so impactful:
1. Emotional Regulation
Animals have a calming effect and help children learn to manage emotions such as anger, anxiety, or sadness. Their unconditional presence fosters feelings of safety and reduces stress, creating an ideal environment for emotional growth.
2. Building Relationships
Interacting with animals encourages empathy, compassion, and trust, essential skills for forming positive relationships. These connections can also serve as a bridge to improved peer and adult relationships.
3. Improved Communication
Animals promote non-verbal communication and can help children practice using clear, intentional language to express their needs. This is especially beneficial for children who struggle with verbal interactions.
4. Self-Esteem and Confidence
Taking responsibility for animal care empowers children, providing a sense of accomplishment and fostering a positive self-image. Successfully completing tasks, like feeding or grooming, can boost their confidence.
5. Social and Teamwork Skills
Animal-related activities often involve group collaboration, encouraging teamwork and shared problem-solving while fostering a sense of belonging.
6. Learning Responsibility and Routine
Caring for animals teaches accountability, routine, and structure. These practical lessons can carry over into other areas of life, providing stability and discipline.
7. Behavioral Support
Animals provide a calming presence that helps de-escalate challenging behaviors. Their patience and consistent responses create opportunities for children to practice appropriate actions and improve self-control.
8. Therapeutic Benefits
The sensory aspects of animal care, such as petting or feeding, provide soothing physical interaction, reduce tension, and help children with sensory processing difficulties.
9. Inspiration and Engagement
Animals captivate attention, igniting curiosity and enthusiasm. This engagement can lead to greater participation in nurture group activities, encouraging learning through interest-led exploration.
Animal interactions offer a gentle yet powerful way for nurture groups to support holistic development, promoting emotional security, interpersonal growth, and resilience.
Our feedback from Estyn and the schools we have delivered these sessions is wonderful.
‘As a trauma informed school, we believe in the restorative power of spending time with animals. Sam and her team bring such a huge variety of animals and a wealth of knowledge that enables them to build a great rapport with the children. The Pop-Up Farm gives our children immersive experiences, creating not only lifelong memories but a whole range of skills that builds resilience, positivity and confidence. We highly recommend the Pop-Up Farm as part of a long term, whole school, mental health and well-being strategy. ‘ Ysgol Trefonnen, Llandrindod-Wells
Reading with animals
We can bring our small animals in for 1-1 or small group reading sessions,
Reading to animals offers unique benefits for individuals, particularly children and those with special needs, fostering confidence, literacy skills, and emotional well-being. Here’s why this activity is so effective:
1. Boosts Confidence
Reading to animals creates a safe, judgment-free environment. Children feel less pressure to read perfectly, reducing anxiety and boosting their self-assurance in their reading abilities.
2. Encourages Literacy Development
Practicing reading aloud to animals helps improve fluency, pronunciation, and comprehension. It also fosters a love for reading by associating the activity with positive, calming experiences.
3. Enhances Communication Skills
Interacting with animals encourages both verbal and non-verbal expression. Reading aloud strengthens vocalization, clarity, and engagement in communication.
4. Promotes Emotional Regulation
The presence of animals has a calming effect, reducing stress and making readers feel more relaxed. This helps children focus better and enjoy the reading experience.
5. Builds Empathy
Reading to animals nurtures compassion and care as children learn to consider the animal’s feelings and enjoy their undivided attention. This emotional connection can translate into improved empathy for others.
6. Fosters a Love for Animals and Nature
Incorporating animals into reading sessions strengthens bonds with nature and fosters a deeper appreciation for animals, helping individuals feel more connected to the world around them.
7. Improves Social Skills
While reading to animals, children practice speaking and engaging without fear of criticism. Over time, this can help them feel more confident about reading and communicating in social settings.
8. Provides a Therapeutic Outlet
The calming presence of animals reduces tension and creates an atmosphere of support. This can be especially beneficial for individuals who may associate reading with stress or past struggles.
9. Supports Sensory Development
For children with sensory processing challenges, petting or sitting near an animal during a reading session provides comforting sensory input, enhancing focus and relaxation.
Reading to animals is more than just a fun activity—it’s an innovative way to nurture growth in literacy, confidence, and emotional well-being in a gentle and supportive manner.