why teach respect for animals from first grade?

The cinema release of “Bambi”, scheduled for October 16, is causing controversy, in particular because of the use of real animals in the film, to the detriment, according to some, of the well-being of these deer.

Why teach animal ethics from first grade, with this subject included in the new school programs? Beyond the cinematographic debate on the announced release of Bambion October 16, respect for animals is now part of the CP school programs.

Amélia Matar discusses this new approach aimed at raising children’s awareness from an early age of the importance of respecting living things.

New awareness of living things in schools

In the new school programs, published on June 13, this awareness is broadly defined. The objective is to develop “the respect due to the environment and living things, based on the understanding of collective rules”. In other words, it is about teaching children why and how to respect living things.

This knowledge is visibly lacking in some children, since a study by the VetAgro Sup engineering school reveals that nearly 8 out of 10 children do not consider humans as animals. This study also reveals that more than 3 in 10 children do not know which animal chicken nuggets come from. To better understand the importance of this subject, Amélia Matar spoke with Jessica Serra, doctor in ethology, a discipline which studies animal behavior.

This scientist fully supports this new educational approach. Because, according to Jessica Serra, there is a profound gap between scientific advances in animal behavior, and the way in which schools approach this subject. Indeed, animals are now recognized as intelligent, sensitive and social beings, and it is necessary for teaching to adapt to this new knowledge, especially in a context of growing ecological crisis.

Animal ethics does not only concern animals, but is also part of the broader framework of living together. Teaching children to respect animals can help them develop their capacity for empathy and respect for otherness, that is to say, for what is different from oneself. Jessica Serra explains that if a child learns to consider and care for animals, he will also be more able to respect his peers, including those who are different from him.

Conversely, violence towards animals by children can often be a sign of intra-family violence. Thus, this teaching on respect for animals directly ties in with empathy lessons, already integrated into school programs.

Although school programs are already busy, it is not so much a question of introducing a new subject as of changing perspective on an already present theme. Until now, animals are studied as part of an ecosystem, but rarely considered as full individuals, with their own emotions and behaviors.

Marie-Laure Laprade, elementary school teacher and president of the “Animal Ethical Education” association, highlights the growing interest of children in this new way of approaching living things. She explains that she uses ethograms with her students, which are inventories of an animal’s behaviors, in order to evaluate with the children its well-being in a given situation.

Parents and those around children also play an important role in this awareness. There are more and more resources, including children’s books and podcasts. The podcast Critters from Radio France, aimed at children aged 5 to 7, is an excellent introduction to the animal world.

Another interesting idea: the Bird Melody application, which allows you to learn to recognize bird songs. Play is often an effective lever for involving children in the discovery of living things. It can then be fun to test your bird singing skills, in nature or a park, without a phone to fully enjoy it.

Observing nature, whether in parks or gardens, is also a simple and accessible way to discover the diversity of life as a family. Wonder would also be a key element in the cognitive development of children.