Two by Two believes many of the issues we struggle with as a society could be prevented by including character focused lessons about compassion, responsibility and empathy in a child’s education. To instill these lifelong skills, there is no greater teacher than the natural love a child has for an animal and the outdoors. Animals and their habitats capture a child’s attention, imagination, and heart in ways that other subject matter simply cannot. By collaborating with classroom teachers and school-based guidance counselors, Two by Two educators have put this idea into practice by developing two unique, researched based elementary level curriculums that teach the fundamentals of good character through humane education. 

This energetic, hands-on program utilizes the humane care of animals and their habitats as an avenue for teaching kindness, respect, responsibility, empathy, and decision-making by incorporating them into traditional core subjects. Children in the program become Foster Pet Parents who care for a stuffed dog or cat. Over a 5-week period, 2nd grade level students must effectively demonstrate through journaling, reading, and mathematics how they are caring, responsible people and “pet parents!”

In order for children to be academically successful, concepts must be reinforced throughout grade levels. Therefore, in 2008 Two by Two launched the Kindhearted Kids to the Rescue Program for fourth graders. The character and humane concepts begun in second grade are strengthened and extended in a new and exciting five week simulation. After completing this course, students will know how to keep their families and pets safe during a natural disaster! As students learn about Hurricane Katrina and the floods in the Midwest, students engage in disaster planning. “Families” organize emergency supply kits and learn how to make good decisions using the problem solving model as they travel to safety during a natural disaster. Teamwork is the key to success in the Kindhearted Kids to the Rescue Program.