Bridge: Supporting Environmental Literacy
Educators can support a whole-family, community-building approach to Environmental Literacy and provide children and families with valuable nature-connected experiences that promote concern for the natural world. Using a whole-family systems approach, sometimes called a 2-generation approach (Women's Funding Network, 2026), to partnering with families means educators understand that parents and children influence each other, and by supporting one, you are supporting the other.
Young Children and Environmental Literacy
In early childhood, environmental literacy involves helping young children understand the natural world and build relationships with nature, people, and other living things (Early Childhood Environmental Education: A systematic review of the literature, 2020).
Care and empathy can be 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 affect the well-being of others, societies, and the global environment (NAAEE, 2019).
Care and empathy can be 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 affect the well-being of others, societies, and the global environment (NAAEE, 2019).
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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).
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Partnering with FamiliesPartnering with families is an important practice for early childhood educators and equally essential when implementing outdoor and nature-based learning opportunities. Educators can build trusting partnerships with parents and caregivers by striving for strong communication and inviting active involvement through:
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Connecting with CommunityEducators can build community connections to support their efforts to implement outdoor and nature-based learning opportunities for children. Seeking out community experts and inviting them to share their expertise can provide learning opportunities for the children, families, educators, and program leaders.
Examples of Community Experts to Consider:
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See the Additional Resources for links to more community-building and environmental literacy supports.
Additional ResourcesMinnesota Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights: Discover how Minnesota is supporting children getting outdoors and connected to nature in this effort led by the Minnesota Children's Cabinet. Find out how you can get involved!
Outdoor and Nature-Based Learning: Explore more about sustainability practices in the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families webinar:
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References
Ardonin N., & Bowers A., (2020). Early childhood environmental education: A systematic review of the research literature. Educational Research Review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2020.100353
Craig, D., Trina, N. A., Monsur, M., Haque, U. T., Farrow, G., Hasan, M. Z., Tasnim, F., & Akinbobola, M. S. (2024). Effective nature-based outdoor play and learning environments for below-3 children: A literature-based summary. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(9), 1247. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091247.
Early childhood environmental education: A systematic review of the research literature (2020). Educational Research Review, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2020.100353.
North American Association for Environmental Education. (2019). Nature-based preschool professional practice guidebook: Teaching, environments, safety, administration. Washington, DC.
Women's Funding Network. (2026). What is whole family? Whole Family Approaches to Economic Mobility. https://wholefamilyguide.org/what-is-whole-family/
Ardonin N., & Bowers A., (2020). Early childhood environmental education: A systematic review of the research literature. Educational Research Review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2020.100353
Craig, D., Trina, N. A., Monsur, M., Haque, U. T., Farrow, G., Hasan, M. Z., Tasnim, F., & Akinbobola, M. S. (2024). Effective nature-based outdoor play and learning environments for below-3 children: A literature-based summary. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(9), 1247. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091247.
Early childhood environmental education: A systematic review of the research literature (2020). Educational Research Review, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2020.100353.
North American Association for Environmental Education. (2019). Nature-based preschool professional practice guidebook: Teaching, environments, safety, administration. Washington, DC.
Women's Funding Network. (2026). What is whole family? Whole Family Approaches to Economic Mobility. https://wholefamilyguide.org/what-is-whole-family/
