Environmental Awareness as Part of Early Childhood Education for Sustainability

This chapter focuses on the integration of environmental awareness into early childhood education for sustainability in five countries: Morocco, Argentina, Iraq, Nigeria, and Indonesia. The chapter emphasizes the importance of early childhood education for sustainability, which encompasses environmental awareness. It draws on scientific research and reports to explore existing programs and practices that engage children in environmental awareness. Interestingly, this chapter begins with an exploration of “early childhood education,” laying the groundwork for the subsequent discussion by introducing this fundamental concept. Next, the focus shifts to “early childhood education for sustainability,” building on the initial foundation by integrating the crucial element of sustainability. Then, the chapter delves into the intersection of “environmental awareness and early childhood education,” having established a solid understanding of both early childhood education and sustainability. This is followed by a detailed examination of “environmental education,” offering a comprehensive look at this specific aspect and its implications. The penultimate section concentrates on “early childhood environmental education (ECEE),” tying together all the previously discussed concepts and focusing on the application of environmental education within the context of early childhood in the five countries involved in this book. Finally, the chapter concludes with a practical demonstration of these theoretical concepts through “children’s drawings.” This tangible representation of environmental awareness in early childhood education serves to ground the preceding discussions in real-world examples, thereby emphasizing the importance and applicability of the study’s findings. This logical progression from broader concepts to specific applications not only facilitates a thorough understanding of the subject matter but also underscores the relevance and impact of early childhood education for sustainability.