Education about animal sentience and welfare in schools shapes lifelong attitudes and behaviours, with evidence that early welfare education influences adult food choices and advocacy.
Animal welfare education operates through both knowledge and empathy pathways. Children who understand how animals experience the world and what factors affect their welfare are more likely to make welfare-conscious choices as adults. Experiential learning — farm visits, wildlife monitoring, animal care — is more effective than classroom-only education. The challenge is integrating welfare education into curricula without dedicated subject time. Cross-curricular approaches connecting welfare to food education, biology, geography, and ethics are the most practically viable. Teacher training and confidence in the subject matter are critical enablers.