Addressing Prosociality in Lower Elementary Classes in China Through Humane Education

• In Event: Hilton Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: International Education

Abstract

Humane education programs—in which animals and the environment are used to nurture kindness, empathy, etc.—are ubiquitous but under-studied staples in many countries, both in the Western Hemishpere and increasingly in the Eastern. We investigated the effectiveness one such program conducted in China to promote prosociality among first- and second-grade students. All classes at a given school either did (experimental) or did not (control) participate in the humane education program for an entire academic year. Participating in the program had a significant effect on both first- and second-grade student’s prosociality, as rated by their teachers. These results contribute to our understanding of humane education and the role it can play to help children’s development.

Author

• William Ellery Samuels, College of Staten Island - CUNY