Which Educational Theories For Young Children Incorporate Environmental Education?

A systematic review of empirical studies on early childhood environmental education (ECEE) programs over a 25-year span found strong evidence of positive outcomes. The most significant findings were that children attending ECEE programs using a place-based learning approach demonstrated behaviors and attitudes consistent with some of the principles of environmental education.

The aim of this article is to introduce an effective, evidence-informed, and developmentally appropriate framework of practice for Environmental Education (EE) in the early years, with the ultimate goal of achieving environmental sustainability. Today’s pre-service early childhood educators play a crucial role in creating an environmentally sensitive society. There is a growing body of research applying post-human philosophical frameworks in early childhood education, but only five articles from this body of research have been included.

Early childhood environmental education supports young children’s affective and cognitive growth, and educators can develop lesson plans that incorporate sustainability and philosophical inquiry into various subjects in early childhood curricula. The first practitioner guides for ECEE, Fostering the Sense of Wonder During the Early Childhood Years, emphasize the development of individual feelings, beliefs, and inner unity with nature.

The Montessori Method and Waldorf education models believe that children’s development is dependent on the environment, and early childhood educators can implement environmental education by integrating pedagogy into open-ended, modeled, and purposefully framed play. The heart of ECEE is encouraging children to explore and engage in meaningful experiences with nature, helping them learn about the environment.

What is the philosophy of environmental studies?

Environmental philosophy focuses on understanding the relationship between humans and the natural world, using ethical and political theories to address environmental challenges. Topics include conservation, restoration, environmental justice, environmental racism, ecofeminism, climate change, green political theory, the ethics of technology, and environmental activism. Sheffield University has a strong emphasis on environmental political philosophy and climate justice, offering modules on The Political Philosophy of Climate Change and Workplace Learning modules for undergraduates and MA students.

The Centre for Engaged Philosophy promotes philosophy that addresses current environmental problems, with events such as public talks on climate justice and school strikes for climate. The department also has links with the Leverhulme Centre for Climate Mitigation and has adopted the British Philosophical Association’s guidelines on environmentally responsible university business travel. Megan Blomfield’s work on climate justice and natural resource rights, such as her 2019 book, Global Justice, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, aims to understand the problem of climate change and propose a just response. Her current research focuses on land justice, considering how land should be used, shared, controlled, valued, and understood at both global and local levels.

What is childhood education for sustainability?

Sustainability education aims to develop children’s social responsibility, empathy, cooperation, and compassion by promoting understanding of the interconnectedness of actions and their impact on others. The Curiosity Approach® supports British values, ensuring children understand their behavior and its consequences, distinguishing right from wrong, and introducing eco literacy into daily practice and pedagogy.

Sustainability education also fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills by providing opportunities to engage in real-world issues like climate change, waste management, and resource conservation. Through stage-appropriate experiences, children can consider recycling waste, saving resources, and implementing sustainable practices in early childhood education. Overall, sustainability education contributes to a harmonious and inclusive society.

What is the philosophy of environmental education?

Environmental education should be a continuous process, encompassing multiple disciplines, and addressing significant environmental concerns from a global standpoint while also considering regional perspectives. An effective environmental education program should consider the environment in its totality and adopt a holistic approach.

What is the philosophy of education for early childhood?

The text emphasizes the importance of a nurturing, child-initiated play-based environment for children’s learning. It emphasizes the importance of self-confidence, trust, creativity, autonomy, and acceptance of individual differences. The staff establishes positive personal interaction, planning for all areas of a child’s development and education. Each child explores at their own pace, developing a strong sense of identity and competence. Each classroom at the center implements developmentally appropriate practices, achieving curriculum goals within a caring community.

Families are an integral part of the education and care of their children. Teachers respect, value, and accept children with dignity, creating an intellectually engaging environment. They plan to enable children to attain key curriculum goals across various disciplines. Teachers foster collaboration with peers and develop a wide repertoire of teaching strategies to enhance learning and development. They also facilitate the development of responsibility and self-regulation in children.

What is the role of environment in early childhood education?

Children thrive in environments that support their individual and diverse development needs. An enabling environment offers security, comfort, choice, engagement, and opportunity for children to grow and flourish. Design considerations for early childhood learning environments include the physical environment, which influences how children feel, act, and behave. The physical classroom environment allows growth and development through activities and materials in defined play areas.

Room arrangement plays a crucial role in students’ social and language interactions. Poorly designed classrooms can cause disruptions and negative social interactions. Dr. Christina Counts, VP of Education for MiEN, identifies three main components of early childhood education learning environments: physical, social, and temporal, each with its own set of considerations.

What is environment theory in early childhood education?

Environments should be designed with developmental theories in mind. Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Theory emphasizes active learning, inquiry skills, and problem-solving. Materials should be placed low on shelves, labeled with pictures, and stimulate knowledge seeking. Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory suggests meaningful interactions that challenge children, with scaffolding through child-child and child-adult interactions. Behavioral Theory emphasizes consistent routines and clear behavior expectations.

Erikson’s theory suggests environments provide opportunities for children to develop trustworthiness, autonomy, and initiative in the early years. These environments should provide safe, independent play areas, and opportunities for children to make choices throughout the day.

What did Piaget and Vygotsky say about the environment and early childhood learning?

Development is influenced by environmental factors, as argued by Lev Vygotsky and Piaget. Piaget believed that children learn about the world through interaction with it, while Vygotsky believed that adult or peer intervention is a more significant contributor to the developmental process. Vygotsky focused more on children’s immediate social and cultural environment and their interactions with adults and peers. Cognitive development occurs first through children’s immediate social interactions, then moves to the individual level as they internalize their learning.

Piaget saw the child as actively discovering the world through individual interactions, while Vygotsky saw the child as an apprentice, learning through a social environment of others who have more experience and are sensitive to their needs and abilities. Both Piaget and Vygotsky contributed to the development of children.

What is early childhood environmental education?

The Curriculum Framework for Environmental Learning (CFEL) is designed to facilitate social and emotional growth, curiosity, environmental understanding, and skills development through programs that encourage children to engage in environmental exploration and acquire knowledge.

What is the philosophy of the environment in Montessori?

Maria Montessori’s prepared environment aims to maximize independent learning and exploration by providing a calm, well-ordered environment with plenty of movement and activity. This environment allows children to choose and work on activities at their own pace, fostering freedom and self-discipline. The prepared environment is guided by six principles: Freedom, Structure and Order, Beauty, Nature and Reality, Social Environment, and Intellectual Environment. Understanding these aspects is crucial for a child’s success in Montessori education.

What is the Reggio Emilia approach to learning?

The Reggio Emilia approach is an inclusive, village-style approach that emphasizes the collective responsibility of parents and the community in children’s learning. It is an inclusive, village-style approach that engages children, parents, and the community as essential components of the learning process. Parents are seen as partners and as the first teacher for the child before they enter the education system. Reggio Emilia schools facilitate constant communication between teachers and families, encouraging parents to volunteer in the classroom and incorporate Reggio Emilia principles at home.

The environment is also an essential part of the Reggio Emilia approach. Children are motivated to explore and respect the environment when placed in a beautiful, stimulating environment. Indoor spaces at Reggio Emilia schools are nature-inspired, featuring plants, vines, and natural light. Classrooms may feature mirrors, doors, windows, or courtyards to create a sense of space and assurance.

Nido Early School, launched in 2014, provides families in Western Australia with a new standard of early education, adapted to suit the climate, culture, and educational context of Australia. With experienced educators, comfortable learning environments, and a flexible approach, Nido Early School is often seen as a home away from home.

What is the best philosophy for early childhood?

Child care philosophy is a set of guiding principles that sets a center apart and improves operations. It establishes the character and values of the center and communicates that character to parents. Five well-known child care philosophies include Development-Interaction, Montessori, Reggio Emilia Pedagogy, and Play-based Learning. Defining your philosophy helps establish the center’s character and values, and helps you communicate that character to parents. By establishing your own philosophy statement, you can establish a strong foundation for your center’s operations.