The upcoming release of “Bambi” in theaters, scheduled for October 16th, has sparked controversy, particularly due to the use of real animals in the film, which some argue may compromise the well-being of these deer. Why teach animal ethics from a young age, including this topic in the new school curriculum? Beyond the cinematic debate surrounding the upcoming release of Bambi on October 16th, animal respect is now part of the primary school curriculum. Amélia Matar explores this new approach aimed at raising awareness among children from a young age about the importance of respecting living beings.
In the new school curriculum, published last June 13th, this awareness is broadly defined. The goal is to develop “respect for the environment and living beings, based on understanding collective rules.” In other words, it is about teaching children why and how to respect living beings. Some children seem to lack this knowledge, as a study from the engineering school VetAgro Sup reveals that nearly 8 out of 10 children do not consider humans as animals. This study also shows that more than 3 out of 10 children do not know which animal chicken nuggets come from.
To better understand the importance of this topic, Amélia Matar spoke with Jessica Serra, a doctor in ethology, a discipline that studies animal behavior. This scientist fully supports this new educational approach. According to Jessica Serra, there is a profound gap between scientific advances in animal behavior and how schools address this topic. Animals are now recognized as intelligent, sensitive, and social beings, and it is necessary for education to adapt to this new knowledge, especially in the context of an increasing ecological crisis.
Animal ethics not only concerns animals but also fits into the broader framework of living together. Teaching children to respect animals can help them develop empathy and respect for others, that is, for what is different from themselves. If a child learns to consider and take care of animals, they will also be more likely to respect their peers, including those who are different from them. Conversely, violence towards animals by children can often be a sign of family violence. This teaching on animal respect directly aligns with empathy lessons already integrated into the school curriculum.
Although the school curriculum is already full, it is not so much about introducing a new subject as it is about changing perspective on an existing theme. Animals have been studied as part of an ecosystem, but rarely considered as individuals with their own emotions and behaviors. Marie-Laure Laprade, an elementary school teacher and president of the “Animal Ethical Education” association, highlights the growing interest of children in this new way of approaching living beings. She explains that she uses ethograms with her students, which are inventories of an animal’s behaviors, 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 available, including children’s books and podcasts. The podcast “Bestioles” from Radio France, aimed at children aged 5 to 7, is an excellent introduction to the animal world. Another interesting idea is the Bird Melody app, which helps learn to recognize bird songs. Games are often an effective way to engage children in the discovery of living beings. It can be fun to test bird song knowledge in nature or a park without a phone to fully enjoy the experience. Observing nature, whether in parks or gardens, is also a simple and accessible way to discover the diversity of living beings as a family. Wonder and amazement are key elements in children’s cognitive development.