Kindergarten as an Agent for a Sustainable Community: Perspectives and Wisdom Gained from an International Collaboration
摘要
To address the complex challenges known as the polycrisis, it is essential to foster sustainable lifestyles, mindsets, and actions among individuals. Research indicates that education for sustainability should start early, from early childhood education and care. This chapter demonstrates how critical utopian action research, conducted through international collaboration, empowers kindergartens to become active participants in building sustainable communities. Critical utopian action research was utilized as both a theoretical and methodological framework. Data was collected through various textual and visual materials. The findings revealed that this approach, complemented by workshops, enhances participants' professional learning and development, nurtures collective knowledge and wisdom, and instills a sense of hope. This empowerment enables kindergarten leaders and teachers to empower children within their kindergartens to promote sustainability for their communities and beyond.