Perspectives S36/Ep9 Teaching children why language always matters

All of us know that language matters, that some words paint a picture of an old way of looking at social issues. So, because the words we use have the power to influence how we view others, PETA’s humane education division, TeachKind, has created a new language guide—Words Matter—that’s packed with lessons, lists of animal-friendly idioms, and everything else educators need to help children learn to use language that’s kind and respectful to animals. Educator All of us know that language matters, that some words paint a picture of an old way of looking at social issues. So, because the words we use have the power to influence how we view others, PETA’s humane education division, TeachKind, has created a new language guide—Words Matter—that’s packed with lessons, lists of animal-friendly idioms, and everything else educators need to help children learn to use language that’s kind and respectful to animals. As Words Matter explains, old expressions like “more than one way to skin a cat” normalize violence toward animals—but fun expressions like “more than one way to peel a potato,” or even just calling an animal “he,” “she,” or “they” versus “it,” are easy ways to instill the idea that animals are living beings deserving of consideration, not inanimate objects. This benefits everyone: Teaching children from a young age to use inclusive language helps them feel empathy for everyone, including their peers, and helps them grow into kind adults. Lisbet Chiriboga joins us to explain, old expressions like “more than one way to skin a cat” normalize violence toward animals—but fun expressions like “more than one way to peel a potato,” or even just calling an animal “he,” “she,” or “they” versus “it,” are easy ways to instill the idea that animals are living beings deserving of consideration, not inanimate objects. This benefits everyone: Teaching children from a young age to use inclusive language helps them feel empathy for everyone, including their peers, and helps them grow into kind adults.