Raise Compassionate Veggie Kids with TeachKind

If you’re a veggie parent seeking a way to teach your children about vegetarianism, you might want to check out TeachKind. It’s a website full of information and resources for parents, teachers, librarians and administrators interested in humane education.

Ideal for people “who want to help students become kinder, more compassionate individuals,” it’s got all kinds of free lesson plans, posters, coloring book sheets, books, videos, displays, leaflets and stickers all geared toward the same goal—teaching kids to treat animals with compassion and respect.

According to the site, a humane education can help your child in becoming a responsible person who cares about animal companions as well as works to end animal suffering. It can prevent violence, help enforce the values of kindness and respect toward both animals as well as people, and help students make a positive difference. It can also help teach about social justice movements in history.

There is a section on how to start an animal club at school, as well as how to get a speaker on your campus. There are display ideas and free resources for librarians, as well as circus materials to counteract the circus promotional materials that many libraries often receive.

I was surprised to learn that twelve states have passed laws to encourage or require “humane education” in the classroom. This can include vegetarian education, alternatives to dissection, and the importance of preventing animal cruelty. California’s own education code even says that “each teacher shall endeavor to impress upon the minds of the pupils… kindness toward domestic pets and the humane treatment of living creatures.” In North Dakota, a similar emphasis is also required by law.

One word of caution: The site is maintained by the organization PETA, which can often provide graphic and violent imagery in its publications. While it’s true that this violence is typically the truth involved with the plight of animals, it is likely not appropriate for all children—especially the younger ones. I would go with the friendlier coloring sheets and smiling stickers before moving onto the more gruesome publications, if at all—of course, every parent should use his or her own judgment on the educational needs of his or her children.

Educators, to remain on the safe side, should probably stick to the friendlier images in the classroom as well. You can explore the free materials as well as free lesson plans and activity sheets at the website and decide which ones are appropriate for your needs.