CREATING THE BOND BETWEEN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AND ANIMALS IN THE SLOW EDUCATION PROCESS

Interaction with animals provides children with numerous beneficial experiences. By taking care of a living creature and understanding its needs, children can develop empathy and a sense of responsibility. Such a connection offers sensory and emotional benefits – it reduces stress, calms, and encourages curiosity. Modern children often have less natural interaction with animals for several reasons: most grow up in apartments where keeping pets is not an option, there is a lack of natural spaces where they can observe animals in nature, and they spend a significant amount of time using digital technologies. A bond between children and animals can be formed in various ways, such as encouraging direct interaction with pets, spending more time in nature, observing birds and insects, or visiting animal shelters and farms. The principle of slow education ensures deep engagement in the learning process. Children fully experience and appreciate each moment in the present when enough time is dedicated to daily routines, exploration, creativity, wonder, and the joy of discovery. In the context of slow education, animals serve as a natural learning tool, helping children explore the world through direct experience while enhancing harmonious emotional, cognitive, and social development. Slow education manifests through calm, meaningful, and profound engagement in the learning process, allowing children to discover and explore nature independently and form connections with animals. Educational activities involving animals reflect the principles of slow education by giving children the opportunity to explore at their own pace, fostering curiosity, empathy, and responsibility toward animals. Scientific activities and imaginative play raise children's awareness of nature conservation and responsible behaviour toward animals. Key words: slow education, experiential learning, pets, forest animals, empathy, 3D animal-augmented reality, imaginative play, animal-based education.