When you mention the word sustainability to an early years professsional often their first thoughts are financial – budgets, cash flow, forecasts!
However in terms of children's education and learning, the topic of sustainability refers to our relationship with our environment and how we can meet our needs today without compromising the needs of future generations.
This week, the , also known as COP26, is being held in Glasgow. World leaders, lobbyists, campaigners, activists, celebrities and even children have attended the event which is being held to try and agree new commitments, policies and strategies to tackle climate change and make our lifestyles sustainable to protect our planet for us and future generations.
Supporting children's understanding
But how does sustainability influence and impact on children in the early years?
What are they hearing and how might they feel? What is their understanding of the pressures on our planet? Do they have questions and worries that we can address?
Can we, by supporting their learning and development, change the mind-set of a generation and generations to come?
Can we grow a sense of responsibility to help our world remain sustainable? Can we amplify the voices of our youngest children to shape future sustainability policy?
Embedding responsible learning
A curriculum — through the seven areas of learning — can support children’s evolving understanding of how they as individuals contribute to Earth’s wellbeing.
We need to look at our own role as educators to help embed environmentally responsible learning and look at developing engaging play opportunities that reflect children’s interests and extend their thinking.
As a setting you will need to develop your ethos and make pledges to sustainability including setting realistic and achievable targets that will make a difference.
And then how will you reflect on your progress against those targets and share your successes?
Are there ways to take this beyond the setting into the home learning environment and the wider community?
For more ideas about teaching 0-5s about climate change, sustainability and the environment you can purchase these publications from the Alliance shop
(Alliance members get 20% off all publications)
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