Bioethics in the Future: Ecological Upbringing from a Preschool Age. A Drama Music Workshop as an Example

Abstract

In today’s society, public opinion plays a large role in the adoption of various legal measures and regulations, including those related to the field of bioethics. This is why experts have a duty to inform the public in a timely and accurate manner, and it is up to educators to educate new generations to become responsible citizens who can make informed decisions. A few years ago, attempts were made to implement a project of health education and then one of civic education in schools. Those curricula predict the student will develop human, political, social, cultural, economic and environmental competences as a citizen of the class, school and local community. A spiral development model of introduction by educational cycles is envisaged, starting from the 1st grade of primary school. However, civic education is also addressed by the national curriculum for early and preschool education, which anticipates development of social and civic competences in children of this age. Bioethics and environmental issues are still not sufficiently transparent to the public. This is why proper environmental education from preschool age is very important. In preschool education, the proper approach is essential, and contemporary pedagogy emphasizes the importance of learning through play. The artistic fields are imposed as an ideal framework in which various contents can be accommodated. A drama music workshop that will help children develop awareness of various issues through play is, therefore, an ideal training ground for educating a responsible and informed citizen. One such drama music workshop was organized for the purpose of demonstration on the occasion of the First Osijek Days of Bioethics. The story used in the workshop is from a picture book by Aleix Cabrera and Rosa M. Curto: Niko and nutrition. Through the play and the story, the importance of proper nutrition was emphasized to children and made them aware that it is necessary to know what they actually eat and where and how food comes from. This paper uses the workshop as a starting point when discussing the role of artistic fields and educators in creating a responsible and informed citizen in fields of bioethics and environmental issues and the importance of early and preschool education in the process.