Humane education in an early childhood science education curriculum

Abstract

This chapter explores the alignment of science education for young children and the principles of humane education. This connection is illustrated through descriptions of inquiry-based projects focusing on various animals and classroom accounts of the early science curriculum. In addition, it reviews the literature on young learners’ enhanced dispositions toward science and development of empathy as they investigate the natural world through the study of animals and learn to become guardians of the earth.