Researching Child-Dog Relationships and Narratives in the Classroom: Rhythms of Posthuman Childhoods

This book explores posthuman and psychological approaches to childhood education and well-being by examining 'animal-assisted education' through qualitative approaches. It provides insight into everyday child-dog encounters, the importance of touch, and how 'bodiment' offers a corporeal and compassionate means to understand interspecies communication. It uses the unique orientation of 'rhythmanalysis' and a posthuman critical theory to provide a nuanced multi-disciplinary overview of the field.

Format: Hardback
Length: 186 pages
Publication date: 13 February 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into posthuman and psychological perspectives on childhood education and well-being by examining the realm of "animal-assisted education," employing qualitative methodologies to unravel the intricate mechanisms that emerge in child-dog interactions. Through a detailed exploration of the lives of children in a primary school setting and their profound connections with their school and classroom dog, Ted, the book offers invaluable insights into everyday encounters between children and dogs. It sheds light on the significance of touch in middle childhood and how "bodiment" serves as a tangible and compassionate means to comprehend the rhythm and musicality in interspecies communication. By leveraging the unique framework of "rhythmanalysis," a posthuman critical theory, and a new materialist orientation in multispecies empathic childhood flourishing, the book provides a forward-thinking perspective on the future of this field.

Reflecting the growing interest in child-dog companionship, picture books, children's flourishing, and children's well-being, this book offers a nuanced and multidisciplinary overview of the subject matter. Employing innovative methods alongside spatial, sensory, and movement theory, this book appeals to scholars, researchers, and academics across various disciplines, including cognitive psychology, child and adolescent psychiatry, and primary and elementary education. Additionally, those with an interest in the early years of development will find this volume to be of great value.

Weight: 530g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032434247