GARFIELD — When children in Sugar Creek Elementary third grade teacher Tammy Murphy’s classroom became startled or upset, they reached for a battery-powered stuffed animal.
The toy, called a Purrble, is designed to mimic a child’s heart rate. When the animal was petted, both the child and the toy’s heart rate slowed.
“I still have students share with me how they use their Purrbles at home to help them calm down,” Murphy said.
Sugar Creek was one of three schools selected nationwide last fall to test out the furry companions, which are among the latest educational tools designed to improve students’ social-emotional skills.
Local schools have placed more emphasis on social-emotional learning. Two years ago, Montgomery County received a grant through North Central Health Services’ Resilient Youth Initiative to implement a curriculum for all students in preschool through grade 8.
The weekly lessons focus on areas including self-awareness and self-management, responsible decision making, social awareness and relationship skills.
Murphy’s class used the Purrbles to reinforce the lessons and went on special “missions” with the toys.
“I think every child would enjoy a toy that mimics where they are and what they’re feeling at the time,” said Pat Moser, social-emotional learning coordinator for the Montgomery County Youth Service Bureau, which worked with the schools to implement the Resilient Youth Initiative grant.
