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| How rabbits are helping Rotherham children learn to read | How rabbits are helping Rotherham children learn to read |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| An animal therapist provides the rabbits for the storytime sessions and they are described as a "captive" audience | An animal therapist provides the rabbits for the storytime sessions and they are described as a "captive" audience |
| Children struggling to meet reading standards for their age have been developing their confidence through story sessions with rabbits. | Children struggling to meet reading standards for their age have been developing their confidence through story sessions with rabbits. |
| An animal therapist has teamed up with a school in Rotherham to organise the sessions and rabbits are allowed to sit on pupils' laps. | An animal therapist has teamed up with a school in Rotherham to organise the sessions and rabbits are allowed to sit on pupils' laps. |
| The presence of the animals has a calming effect and improves literacy skills, according to teachers. | The presence of the animals has a calming effect and improves literacy skills, according to teachers. |
| Only 60% of children in Yorkshire leave primary school meeting the expected level of reading for 11-year-olds, compared to a national target of 74%, according to the most recent government statistics. | Only 60% of children in Yorkshire leave primary school meeting the expected level of reading for 11-year-olds, compared to a national target of 74%, according to the most recent government statistics. |
| The Magna Lane Centre has been holding the Read to Rabbits sessions for the past nine months. | The Magna Lane Centre has been holding the Read to Rabbits sessions for the past nine months. |
| Children can select a book to read aloud to one of the rabbits - aiding fluency and reducing tension. | Children can select a book to read aloud to one of the rabbits - aiding fluency and reducing tension. |
| The rabbits were described as a "captive" audience. | The rabbits were described as a "captive" audience. |
| Children can choose a book to read aloud to a rabbit | Children can choose a book to read aloud to a rabbit |
| The centre is based at Foljambe Primary School and is run by the Wickersley Partnership Trust to provide support for children with social, emotional and mental health needs. | |
| Centre manager Lisa Stones said: "The children might lack confidence, they might feel anxious, but when they come to the session that all goes away. They're able to relax, practice their reading skills in a safe and calm environment, and form a positive association with reading." | Centre manager Lisa Stones said: "The children might lack confidence, they might feel anxious, but when they come to the session that all goes away. They're able to relax, practice their reading skills in a safe and calm environment, and form a positive association with reading." |
| Nichola Habberjam supplies the rabbits as part of her animal therapy business, which runs educational visits | Nichola Habberjam supplies the rabbits as part of her animal therapy business, which runs educational visits |
| The rabbits come from Four Paws Animal Assisted Therapy, which is run by Nichola Habberjam. | The rabbits come from Four Paws Animal Assisted Therapy, which is run by Nichola Habberjam. |
| She said: "The children at Magna Lane have their favourite rabbits, they've got really good bonds with them, and they really do enjoy the sessions." | She said: "The children at Magna Lane have their favourite rabbits, they've got really good bonds with them, and they really do enjoy the sessions." |
| She described animal therapy as "physically and mentally beneficial". | She described animal therapy as "physically and mentally beneficial". |
| "Being around the animals reduces stress and anxiety." | "Being around the animals reduces stress and anxiety." |
| The animal therapist also has hand-reared sheep and goats which take part in visits | The animal therapist also has hand-reared sheep and goats which take part in visits |
| Ms Habberjam, whose business is based near Rotherham, also uses dogs, goats, sheep, guinea pigs and a miniature Shetland pony for her therapy visits. | Ms Habberjam, whose business is based near Rotherham, also uses dogs, goats, sheep, guinea pigs and a miniature Shetland pony for her therapy visits. |
| "I take them to nursing homes, which is particularly beneficial for people with dementia. We also visit student accommodation, psychiatric hospitals and eating disorder clinics." | "I take them to nursing homes, which is particularly beneficial for people with dementia. We also visit student accommodation, psychiatric hospitals and eating disorder clinics." |
| Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North | Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North |
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