Investigating the Impact of Preschool Type on Young Children's Empathy

Empathy can be a powerful driver for positive social change and is relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals that serve as a global blueprint for peace and prosperity. Empathy has also gained popularity within zoos, aquariums, and other wildlife conservation organizations as a motivator for caring action toward wildlife and nature. As such, there is a need to understand and develop interventions that further people's empathy, particularly in the context of young children, given the critical developmental period of early childhood. A quantitative study was conducted with 124 children from eight preschools in Minnesota (USA). A modified version of the Young Children's Empathy Measure with Humans and Animals was administered at the beginning and end of a preschool year to measure the impact of preschool type (nature preschool, animal-focused nature preschool, and non-nature preschool) on empathy (cognitive, affective, and empathic behavioral intentions). Results suggest that animal-focused nature preschools and nature preschools were more effective than non-nature preschools for empathic behavioral intentions in the context of humans, as well as for cognitive and affective empathy with wildlife. Further, the animal-focused nature preschools were more effective than nature and non-nature preschools in terms of empathic behavioral intentions in the context of animals. Implications are discussed in light of the study's limitations.

Automated summary

Empathy plays an important role in promoting and protecting wildlife and nature. A quantitative study conducted with 124 children from eight preschools in Minnesota showed that animal-focused nature preschools were more effective in enhancing empathy compared to non-nature preschools.