Human–nature relationships in early childhood education for sustainability: Metaphysical analysis and reshaping

2021 ◽  
pp. 183693912110611
Author(s):  
Neal Dreamson ◽  
Soyoung Kim
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Transformative Learning ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
Education For Sustainability ◽  
Instructional Approaches ◽  
New Model ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Do So

Popular instructional approaches in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability (ECEfS) are co-construction learning, transformative learning and ecological learning. These rely on constructivism that could challenge human–nature relationships of ECEfS. In this study, we aim to discover and reshape human–nature relationships embedded in the approaches. To do so, we deconstruct the approaches through a metaphysical analysis with ontology, epistemology and axiology. As a result, we confirm that they are likely to view humans and nature as two separate entities. For sustainability, we distinguish an ontological view (‘N’ature) and an epistemological view (‘n’ature) and justify the distinction based on posthumanists’ concepts of non-humans and more-than-humans. We present a metaphysically reshaped human–nature relationship and argue that this new model enables teachers to critically review ‘human-made/observed natures’ and participate in the reconciliation between ‘N’ature and humanity. We also apply the model into a waste-recycle activity to clarify its potential practicality.

Nature by Default in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Elliott ◽  
Tracy Young
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
Education For Sustainability ◽  
Children's Play ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Children’S Play ◽  
Transformative Engagement ◽  
Historical Antecedents

AbstractThis essay critiques the relevance of historical antecedents about children's play in nature and how these historical and political mechanisms create cultural rovoked by Taylor's (2013) exploration of the pervasive influence of romanticised images of innocent children in nature and our own experiences of never-ending ‘nice’ stories about young children in nature, here we trouble how nature experiences may or may not preclude children's meaningful and agentic participation in sustainability. We question is engagement with nature, a tangible and easily accessible approach in early childhood education (ECE) promoting a ‘nature by default paradigm’ and potentially thwarting a fuller transformative engagement with sustainability. Thus, we argue the case for shifting our frames beyond idealised romanticised notions and human–nature dualisms to a ‘common worlds’ (Haraway, 2008; Latour, 2004; Taylor, 2013) frame guided by collectivist understandings within connective life worlds. Such a shift requires a significant recasting of ethical human–nature understandings and relationships in ECE.

scholarly journals Pre-Service Early Childhood Teachers’ Preparedness to Teach Education for Sustainability

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-96
Author(s):  
Anita Croft
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Early Childhood Teachers ◽  
Education For Sustainability ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Aotearoa New Zealand ◽  
Sustainability Practices ◽  
Preparedness To Teach

The benefits of beginning Education for Sustainability (EfS) in early childhood are now widely documented. With the support of their teachers, young children have shown that through engagement in sustainability practices they are capable of becoming active citizens in their communities (Duhn, Bachmann, & Harris, 2010; Kelly & White, 2012; Ritchie, 2010; Vaealiki & Mackey, 2008). Engagement with EfS has not been widespread across the early childhood sector in Aotearoa New Zealand (Duhn et al., 2010; Vaealiki & Mackey, 2008) until recently. One way of addressing EfS in early childhood education is through teacher education institutions preparing students to teach EfS when they graduate.

Early Childhood Education and Child Care in Arizona : Is Availability Alone Sufficient?

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Chapman ◽  
◽  
Margarita Pivovarova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Child Care ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Value Of Information ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Quality Rating ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Do So

With many states increasingly adopting Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) to rate their early childhood education (ECE) and child care programs, researchers question the use of these systems. Specifically, they are trying to understand the value of information provided by QRIS ratings and the implications QRIS ratings have on the quality of and access to ECE and child care programs for families. In this study, we attempt to understand the value of QRIS ratings when they are provided for families at the household level. To do so we take a close look at the relationship between availability of programs rated by the Quality Improvement and Rating System (QIRS) in Arizona and demographics of the communities they serve, and compare the utilization of the programs in communities with varying demographic compositions. While we find that more high-quality ECE and child care programs are available for children that are Hispanic, Black, and eligible for free and reduced-price lunch, we also find that families underutilized those programs. We argue that this underutilization might be due to a variety of barriers that the families are experiencing and believe that efforts should be directed to work with families and assist them in understanding their enrollment options.

scholarly journals Early Childhood Education for sustainability: Recommendations for development

2009 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Daries ◽  
Ingrid Engdahl ◽  
Lorraine Otieno ◽  
Ingrid Pramling-Samuelson ◽  
John Siraj-Blatchford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Education For Sustainability ◽  
Childhood Education
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