ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests that it is possible to construct a rich curriculum for preschool learning delivered within a playful learning pedagogy. It argues that in the new culture of preschools, we can teach children a rich palate of twenty-first-century skills. Classrooms such as Ms. Taylor's, where animals are integral to the educational experience and learning is made enjoyable through active participation tied to meaningful information, easily fit the vision of a high-quality preschool classroom. Human-animal interaction (HAI) is a relatively young field of inquiry for developmental scientists. Educational practices that integrate HAI and play into early curricula show promise in promoting children's early learning and self-regulation development. Incorporating animals may provide a promising approach to hands-on, active, playful educational experiences in early childhood learning. As previously noted, the focus of early childhood education should not be narrowly constrained to academic outcomes, but should also emphasize key social and emotional skills that impact school readiness and later school success.
