In the non-denominational ethics course in the Primary School, the pedagogical area must be conducive to:
- reflection on situations experienced or alluded to;
- considered expression of one's own opinions and attentive and respectful listening to the opinions of others as well as responding to their contribution to the discussion;
- discovery and practice of positive behaviour and of values;
- translation of values into principles guiding behaviour, attitudes and words;
- the practice of democracy and measures to ensure respect for the rights of every living being;
- participation in humanitarian and ecological operations connected with current events;
- awareness of belonging to communities of life and thought;
- discovery of the meaning of festivals, their rituals and their symbolism;
- curiosity about traditions and beliefs in other communities and cultures;
- formation of the personality through everything which gives meaning to life.
With the non-denominational ethics course, the child therefore engages in a never-ending personal search, free of any dogmatism, for:
- his/her place and role in the family, group and society;
- values and principles which will guide his/her acts, thoughts, life choices;
- answers to existential questions about which he/she will wonder throughout his/her life.
Methodological Approach
Based on the principles set out above, the pedagogical sequences should inductively:
- start from concrete situations presented using the widest variety of aids;
- isolate the problem situation which is the subject of the sequence;
- open up a discussion area;
- evolve a principle;
- seek out other comparable situations, imagine different scenarios;
- provide an opportunity to put into the practice the principles evolved.