Early Childhood Zoo Learning: Empathy and Reminiscing

Abstract

Modern zoos hope to foster empathy for animals in visitors, which they hope will lead to meaningful behavioral changes that promote conservation. This qualitative study examines how young children may learn empathy for animals through reminiscing with caregivers about zoo experiences. Reminiscing, which involves meaningful and emotional conversations about past events, has been linked to developing prosocial behavior and empathy in children. The findings of this study contribute to the field of informal learning, zoo learning, museum learning and early learning by supporting an understanding of: 1) how children might build a greater understanding of empathy for more-than-human others through reminiscing with caregivers about ILE experiences, and 2) how caregivers understand the development of their young children's empathy in a zoo context.