Father's Day offers a natural opening to explore the nurturing roles of fathers and male role models through an educational lens. One great way to do this is by watching the 2024 BBC Earth short documentary Fatherhood in the Animal Kingdom. This narrated and at times humorous film offers an inside look at the animal world, focusing on the ways wildlife fathers — from seahorses to ostriches to lions — nurture, protect, and raise their young. With engaging storytelling, the documentary gives viewers a chance to reflect on the many forms that fatherhood can take across species, through the relatable lens of fatherhood in nature.
This viewing experience also serves as a rich STEM learning opportunity. Children can explore scientific themes like animal behavior, reproduction, habitats, and evolutionary adaptations while strengthening observation and critical thinking skills. Whether in the classroom or at home, the documentary opens the door to interdisciplinary learning in biology and environmental science.
After viewing the documentary with your elementary or middle-school aged learners, take time to explore the discussion prompts below. They're tailored for different grade levels to encourage deeper reflection on animal parenting.
- Which animal dad did you like the most, and why?
- Did anything surprise you about how animal dads take care of their young?
- Were the animal dads in the documentary similar to or different from human dads?
These questions are a bit more advanced and may spark creativity and critical thinking.
- How might an animal's environment affect the way a father takes care of its offspring?
- Did any of the roles of animal fathers in the documentary challenge what we usually expect from animal parenting?
- Why do you think scientists study animal parenting? How can it help humans understand the natural world?
- If you were making your own documentary, what animal father would you feature, and what would your title be?