Bridge: Supporting Environemental Literacy
Support a whole-family, community-building approach to Environmental Literacy.
Young Children & Environmental Literacy
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In early childhood, environmental literacy is about helping young children understand the natural world and develop relationships with nature, people, and other living things (Early Childhood Environmental Education: A systematic review of the literature, 2020).
Care and empathy are nurtured, along with other skills such as observation, questioning, and problem-solving. Research has shown that care and empathy develop early in life, making early childhood a vital time to start environmental education in ways that are developmentally appropriate for young children and that prioritize connection with nature before introducing concepts related to environmental issues (Ardonin & Bowers, 2020). Over time, as children develop their skills and understanding of the world, they become individuals who can make informed decisions about the environment and are motivated to act on them. According to the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), an environmentally literate person makes choices that can impact the well-being of other individuals, societies, and the global environment (NAAEE, 2019). Considerations for Infants & ToddlersIn the early years, environmental education focuses on exposing infants and toddlers to natural environments and materials they can experience using their senses. Infants and toddlers are curious and eager to explore their surroundings, which helps them understand the world and their place in it through their daily experiences. (Craig et al., 2024).
Partnering with FamiliesConnecting with Community |
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