A Developmentally-Appropriate Approach to Climate Change Education in Early Childhood

Photo by Chris Gonzalez from Pexels

Our first blog post here discussed one earnest climate conversation with a fifth grader. But what about younger kids?

Elisabeth Hedrick-Moser and Anna Sharratt of the Free Forest School write that a good approach is "creating opportunities for young children to take responsibility for beautifying their nature play spaces as the first stage of climate change education." In their view, "Discussing the heavy reality of climate change with young children opens them to fear and grief, yet they are unable to process what could possibly be done to ameliorate the damages that scientists predict." They believe that "Bringing kids into nature regularly and allowing them to truly immerse themselves and play" plants "a seed of deep respect for the natural world. Their learning, their joy, their growth, are all tied to wild places—laying the groundwork to nurture an ethic of care in the next generation of environmental stewards and leaders."

Kudos to Elisabeth and Anna for sharing this effective way to reach the youngest generation.