​Raising the Next Generation of Naturalists and Environmentalists 

We rely and appreciate nature and all the wonders Mother Earth gives us and use it to intentionally teach young children the curiosities of the natural world.  It is at the core of our science/inquiry based curriculum, so teaching our youngest learners to love and protect it is crucial.  We need to ensure they become ecologically literate citizens who have a sense of ownership and stewardship of our planet Earth.

We are always excited to embark on a journey of environmental exploration and discovery with young scientists. Through these meaningful activities, we hope to nurture a deep respect for our planet and inspire lifelong habits of sustainability. Let's stay connected to the land!

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLITY?

The concept of sustainability, rooted in the idea that our survival depends on the natural environment, gained prominence with the 1987 UN report defining sustainable development as meeting current needs without compromising future generations. In early childhood education, this translates to helping teachers, children, and families learn to coexist with nature in ways that support both present and future well-being.

This involves focusing on:

Health + Wellness

Emphasizing the physical and mental benefits of spending time in nature, understanding healthy eating, and knowing where food comes from.

Children's Development

Utilizing the environment as a “third teacher” to foster language, literacy, and critical thinking, while addressing barriers like family perceptions of outdoor play and maintenance of outdoor spaces.

Overcoming Barriers

Addressing concerns about safety, cleanliness, and resources for outdoor play, and finding ways to integrate nature into learning to support both gross motor skills and investigative learning/serve and return interactions.

​Sustainable Early Childhood Education Curriculum Overview

Core Principles

A sustainable early childhood education curriculum integrates principles of sustainability into early learning experiences, fostering an understanding of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic awareness from a young age. A sustainable early childhood education curriculum is holistic, integrating sustainability into all aspects of learning and daily practice, ensuring that children grow up with the knowledge, values, and skills needed to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Environmental Awareness

• Connection with Nature: Encourage outdoor play and exploration to build a deep connection with the natural world.
• Conservation: Teach resource conservation (e.g., water, energy) through simple activities like turning off lights and saving water.
• Recycling and Reusing: Introduce recycling and reusing materials to reduce waste, with activities like sorting recyclables or using old materials for art projects.

Social Responsibility

• Community and Cooperation: Promote group projects that benefit others, such as community gardens or clean-up activities.
• Equity and Inclusion: Foster inclusivity, teaching respect for differences and the value of diverse perspectives.

Economic Awareness

• Simple Economics: Introduce basic concepts of needs vs. wants, emphasizing long-term impacts of choices.
• Sustainable Choices: Encourage mindful consumption, such as choosing sustainable toys, food, and materials, while understanding their impact.

Curriculum Components

Integrated Learning Activities

• Project-Based Learning: Engage children in hands-on projects related to sustainability, such as gardening, composting, or building with natural materials.
• Storytelling and Role-Playing: Use stories and role-play to introduce sustainability concepts and encourage caring for the planet.

Outdoor Learning

• Gardening: Involve children in planting, tending, and harvesting, teaching them about food origins and healthy ecosystems.
• Nature Walks: Conduct regular walks to observe local wildlife and ecosystems, fostering curiosity and respect for nature.

Mindfulness and Wellbeing

• Mindful Practices: Introduce mindfulness exercises to develop self-awareness and link personal well-being to the planet's health.
• Physical Activity: Promote physical health through active play, emphasizing the importance of taking care of their bodies.

Parental and Community Involvement

• Family Projects: Encourage families to participate in sustainability projects at home, such as reducing waste or conserving energy.
• Community Connections: Involve the community, inviting environmental experts to speak or organizing clean-up days.

Cultural Relevance

• Local Context: Adapt the curriculum to reflect local environmental and cultural contexts for relevance and meaning.
• Global Awareness: Introduce global sustainability perspectives, helping children understand their actions' worldwide impact.​
  

Assessment + Reflection

Long-Term Goals​

​Observational Assessment

• Assess children’s engagement with sustainable practices through observation rather than traditional testing.

Reflective Practices

• Encourage children to reflect on their learning and sustainable choices, fostering a sense of responsibility.

• Fostering Lifelong Habits: Instill sustainable habits that children carry into adulthood.
• Empowering Future Citizens: Prepare children to be thoughtful, responsible citizens who positively contribute to society and the environment.

WHAT IS NATURE BASED LEARNING?

Nature-based learning is learning that occurs through exposure to nature and nature-based activities. Learning activities occur in natural settings and where elements of nature have been brought into built environments, such as plants, animals, and water. The goal is to support children's acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, behaviors, and attitudes in academics, personal/social emotional development, and age-appropriate caring for the environment and world around them. It includes learning about the natural world, but extends to engagement in any subject, skill or interest while in natural surroundings.​

GET STARTED

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Developed in collaboration with Innovative Educational Solutions and the Hanley Sustainability Institute (HSI). Proudly supported by funding from HSI.

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