Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Teaching Compassion: Humane Education in Early Childhood pp 197–211Cite as

Guardians of the Earth: Teaching Children to Care for All Living Things

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Educating the Young Child ((EDYC,volume 8))

Abstract

Across cultures, people show affinity to nature, but today’s children have little contact to develop a strong bond. Children’s ways of knowing differ from the abstract, logical ways of adults, focusing instead on sensory and emotional perceptions. Children need to develop a love for nature through unstructured access to natural areas before learning about endangered species. Many factors affect human attitudes toward organisms: media portrayal, physical and behavioral attributes, genetic closeness to humans, cultural and religious factors, and perceived danger. Learning about local fauna and flora can influence preferences from charismatic species to appreciating more modest local organisms. Familiar animals are generally valued with education affecting these attitudes. Humane education programs of several approaches (curriculum-blended, literature-focused, and animal project-based) abound, but their efficacy has not been well documented in the literature. A recent humane education program by the authors is discussed along with examples of animal poetry that the author developed for use with first and second grade students.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aguirre, V., & Orihuela, A. (2010). Assessment of the impact of an animal welfare educational course with first grade children in rural schools in the state of Morelos, Mexico. Early Childhood Education Journal, 38, 27–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arbour, R., Signal, T., & Taylor, N. (2009). Teaching kindness: The promise of humane education. Society and Animals, 17, 136–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ascione, F. (1992). Enhancing children’s attitudes about the humane treatment of animals: Generalization to human-directed empathy. Anthrozoös, 5(3), 176–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ascione, F. R., & Weber, C. V. (1996). Children’s attitudes about the humane treatment of animals and empathy: One-year follow up of a school-based intervention. Anthrozoös, 9(4), 188–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ballouard, J.-M., Brischoux, F., & Bonnet, X. (2011). Children prioritize virtual exotic biodiversity over local biodiversity. PLoS One, 6(8), e23152. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0023152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bitgood, S., Patterson, D., & Benefield, A. (1988). Exhibit design and visitor behavior: Empirical relationships. Environment and Behaviour, 20, 474–491.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowler, D. E., Buyung-Ali, L. M., Knight, T. M., & Pullin, A. S. (2010). A systematic review of evidence for the added benefits to health of exposure to natural environments. BioMed Central Public Health, 10, 456–466.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bunting, T. E., & Cousins, L. R. (1985). Environmental dispositions among school-age children. Environment and Behavior, 17(6), 725–768.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burghardt, G. M., & Herzog, H. A. (1989). Animals, evolution and ethics. In R. J. Hoage (Ed.), Perceptions of animals in American culture (pp. 129–151). Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chawla, L. (1994). Editors’ note. Children’s Environments, 11(3), 175–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chawla, L. (2007). Childhood experiences associated with care for the natural world: A theoretical framework for empirical results. Children, Youth and Environments, 17(4), 144–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clements, R. (2004). An investigation of the status of outdoor play. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 5(1), 68–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crain, W. (2000). Theories of intelligence: Concepts and applications. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dutcher, D. D., Finley, J. C., Luloff, A. E., & Johnson, J. B. (2007). Connectivity with nature as a measure of environmental values. Environment and Behavior, 39(4), 474–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Esterl, M. (2008). German tots learn to answer call of nature. Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition), 251(87), A1–A11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, J. (1998). School closures, amalgamations and children’s play: Bigger may not be better. Children Australia, 23(1), 12–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faber Taylor, A., & Kuo, F. E. (2006). Is contact with nature important for healthy child development? State of the evidence. In C. Spencer & M. Blades (Eds.), Children and their environments (pp. 124–140). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Faver, C. (2010). School-based humane education as a strategy to prevent violence: Review and recommendations. Children and Youth Services Review, 32, 365–370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Folke, C., Holling, C. S., & Perrings, C. (1996). Biological diversity, ecosystems and the human scale. Ecological Applications, 6(4), 1018–1024.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gunnthorsdottir, A. H. (2001). Physical attractiveness of an animal species as a decision factor for its preservation. Anthrozoös, 14, 204–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, M. (1989). The relationship between children’s experiences with vegetation on school grounds. The Journal of Environmental Education, 21(2), 9–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herrington, S., & Studtmann, K. (1998). Landscape interventions: New directions for the design of children’s outdoor play environments. Landscape and Urban Planning, 42(2–4), 191–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holling, C. S., Schindler, D. W., Walker, B. H., & Roughgarden, J. (1995). Biodiversity in the functioning of ecosystems: An ecological synthesis. In C. A. Perrings, K. G. Maler, C. Folke, C. S. Holling, & B. O. Janson (Eds.), Biodiversity loss: Economic and ecological issues (pp.44–83). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kahn, P. H., Jr. (1997). Developmental psychology and the biophilia hypothesis: Children’s affiliation with nature. Developmental Review, 17, 1–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kahn, P. H., Jr., & Lourenco, O. (2002). Water, air, fire, and earth: A developmental study in Portugal of environmental moral reason-ing. Environment and Behavior, 34, 405–430.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kahn, P. H., Severson, R. L., & Ruckert, J. H. (2009). The human relation with nature and technological nature. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 18(1), 37–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kellert, S. R. (1985). Public perceptions of predators, particularly the wolf and coyote. Biological Conservation, 31, 167–189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kellert, S. R. (1993). The biological basis for human values of nature. In S. R. Kellert & E. O. Wilson (Eds.), The biophilia hypothesis (pp. 42–69). Washington, DC: Island Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellert, S. R. (1996). The value of life. Washington, DC: Island Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellert, S. R. (2002). Experiencing nature: Affective, cognitive, and evaluative development. In P. H. Kahn Jr. & S. R. Kellert (Eds.), Children and nature: Psychological, sociocultural, and evolutionary investigations (pp. 65–92). Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellert, S. R., & Berry, J. K. (1980). Phase III: Knowledge, affection and basic attitudes toward animals in American society. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kruger, K. A., Trachtenberg, S. W., & Serpell, J. A. (2004). Can animals help humans heal? Animal-assisted interventions in adolescent mental health. Philadelphia, PA: Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, L., Wang, J., Shi, J., Wang, Y., Liu, W., & Xu, X. (2010). Factors influencing local people’s attitudes towards wild boar in Taohongling National Nature Reserve of Jiangxi Province, China. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 2, 1846–1856.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindemann-Matthies, P. (2005). ‘Lovable’ mammals and ‘lifeless’ plants: How children’s interest in common local organisms can be enhanced through observation of nature. International Journal of Science Education, 27(6), 655–677.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lorenz, K. (1981). The foundations of ethology. New York: Springer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Louv, R. (2005). Last child in the woods: Saving our children from nature deficit disorder. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malcarne, V. (1983). Evaluating humane education: The Boston study. Humane Education, 7, 12–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malone, K., & Tranter, P. (2003). Children’s environmental learning and the use, design and management of schoolgrounds. Children, Youth and Environments, 13 (2). Retrieved from http://www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/13_2/Malone_Tranter/ChildrensEnvLearning.htm.

  • Martin-Lopez, B., Montes, C., & Benayas, J. (2007). The non-economic motives behind the willingness to pay for biodiversity conservation. Biological Conservation, 139, 67–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery, C. A. (2002). Ranking the benefits of biodiversity: An exploration of relative values. Journal of Environmental Management, 65, 313–326.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery, C. A., & Helvoigt, T. L. (2006). Changes in attitudes about importance of and willingness to pay for salmon recovery in Oregon. Journal of Environmental Management, 78, 330–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, R. C., & Marcus, C. C. (2008). Healthy planet, healthy children: Designing nature into the daily spaces for childhood. In S. R. Kellert, J. Heerwagen, & M. Mador (Eds.), Biophilic design: The theory, science, and practice of bringing buildings to life (pp. 153–203). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, J. M., & Hodgkinson, M. (1999). The motivation and social orientation of visitors attending a contemporary zoological park. Environment and Behavior, 31, 227–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muris, P., Mayer, B., Huijding, J., & Koning, T. (2007). A dirty animal is a scary animal! Effects of disgust-related information on fear beliefs in children. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 46, 137–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2002). A literature review of the effects of natural light on building occupants. Technical report. Golden, CO: Edwards, L., & Torcellini, P.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicoll, K., Trifone, C., & Samuels, W. E. (2008). An in-class, humane education program can improve young students’ attitudes toward animals. Society and Animals, 16, 45–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phenice, L., & Griffore, R. (2003). Young children and the natural world. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 4(2), 167–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piaget, J. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children. New York: International Universities Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Plous, S. (1993). Psychological mechanisms in the human use of animals. Journal of Social Issues, 49, 11–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prokop, P., & Tunnicliffe, S. D. (2010). Effects of having pets at home on children’s attitudes toward popular and unpopular animals. Anthrozoös, 23(1), 21–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pyle, R. (2002). Eden in a vacant lot: Special places, species and kids in community of life. In P. H. Kahn & S. R. Kellert (Eds.), Children and nature: Psychological, sociocultural and evolutionary investigations. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rule, A. C., & Zhbanova, K. S. (2012). Changing perceptions of unpopular animals through facts, poetry, crafts, and puppet plays. Early Childhood Education Journal, 40(4), 223–230.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlegel, J., & Rupf, R. (2010). Attitudes towards potential animal flagship species in nature conservation: A survey among students of different educational institutions. Journal for Nature Conservation, 18, 278–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sebba, R. (1991). The landscapes of childhood-The reflection of childhood’s environment in adult memories and in children’s attitudes. Environment and Behavior, 23(4), 395–422.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Serpell, J. A. (2004). Factors influencing human attitudes to animals and their welfare. Animal Welfare, 13, 145–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shen, X., Li, S., Chen, N., Li, S., McShea, W. J., & Lu, Z. (2012). Does science replace traditions? Correlates between traditional Tibetan culture and local bird diversity in Southwest China. Biological Conservation, 145(1), 160–170. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2011.10.027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sobel, D. (1996). Beyond ecophobia: Reclaiming the heart of nature education. Great Barrington, MA: The Orion Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sprinkle, J. E. (2008). Animals, empathy, and violence: Can animals be used to convey principles of prosocial behavior to children? Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 6, 47–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tranter, P., & Pawson, E. (2001). Children’s access to local environments: A case-study of Christchurch, New Zealand. Local Environment, 6(1), 27–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich, R. S. (1981). Natural vs. urban scenes: Some psychophysiological effects. Environment and Behavior, 13, 523–556.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich, R. S. (1993). Biophilia, biophobia and natural landscapes. In S. R. Kellert & E. O. Wilson (Eds.), The biophilia hypothesis (pp. 42–69). Washington, DC: Island Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • West, M. J. (1986). Landscape views and stress responses in the prison environment. Unpublished Master’s thesis, University of Washington, Seattle.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, R. (2006, Fall/Winter). Young children’s relationship with nature: Its importance to children’s development & the Earth’s future. Taproot, 16(2), 1–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, R., & Stoecklin, V. L. (2008). Nurturing children’s biophilia: Developmentally appropriate environmental education for young children. Kansas City, MO: White Hutchinson Leisure and Learning Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, E. O. (1984). Biophilia. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, R. A. (1997). The wonders of nature: Honoring children’s ways of knowing. Early Childhood News, 9(2), 6–9.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Elementary Education, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, USA

    Audrey C. Rule Ph.D. & Ksenia S. Zhbanova M.Ed.

Authors
  1. Audrey C. Rule Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ksenia S. Zhbanova M.Ed.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Audrey C. Rule Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Indiana University of Pennsylvania Studies in Education, INDIANA, Pennsylvania, USA

    Mary Renck Jalongo

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Rule, A.C., Zhbanova, K.S. (2014). Guardians of the Earth: Teaching Children to Care for All Living Things. In: Renck Jalongo, M. (eds) Teaching Compassion: Humane Education in Early Childhood. Educating the Young Child, vol 8. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6922-9_13

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation