Respecting the natural environment starts in the early years!
Source:LetsharePhils,2012
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As community awareness of environmental issues are increasing it's so important to provide children with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to help them become environmentally responsible (L Boyle, 2006).
Teaching children respect and appreciation for our natural environment is an important part of early childhood development and education. Children deserve to know as much as possible about how nature works, this will help to develop positive attitudes, respect and feelings toward the natural environment. By creating natural environments this will support children to become environmentally responsible, they will be able to explore, create, interact during their everyday play. EXPERIENCES THE CHILDREN WILL HAVE:
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Why this is important in the early years! |
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The types of learning and development that occurs in natural environments are the following:
Developing an awareness about the environment supports the development and appreciation of the natural world. Children will develop an understanding of how nature works and advocate for change to becoming a more sustainable environment and protecting the natural world (Beecher, 2015). This link will take you to suggested activities of a play based approach to respecting the natural environment in the early years. "Childhood is filled with natural wonder and curiosity. The learning environment must reflect a classroom and outdoor space that inspires a sense of wanting to investigate, to find out and explore" - Kathy Walker.
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Suggested activities for at home!
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The last child in the woods.This is a great book by Richard Louv which shows the developmental effects nature has on our children.
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Resources:
- Arthur, L., Beecher, B., Death, E., Dockett, S., & Farmer, S. (2015). Programming and planning in early childhood settings (6th ed.). South Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learning Australia.
- Boyle, L. (2006). Environmental experiences in child care. Putting Children First, 19, 14-17. Retrieved from http://ncac.acecqa.gov.au/educator-resources/pcf-articles/Environmental_Experiences_in_Child_Care_Sept06.pdf
- National Quality Framework. (2014). Natural environments, Fact Sheet. Retrieved from http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/childhood/providers/regulation/nqfnaturalenvironment.pdf.