Blog by Dr Jane Spiteri, University of Malta, Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education
Climate change is a serious existential threat to us all, especially young children and pregnant mothers. Even though young children are not responsible for the current climate crisis, they are likely to experience the greatest impacts of climate change. Such impacts are significantly alarming, directly impacting child development and well-being over a lifetime. Starting in utero, young children are more vulnerable to environmental changes due to climate change, such as poor air quality, increased temperatures and extreme weather events. Other impacts of climate change include but are not limited to reduced food supply, displacement, and the emergence of new diseases. These adverse experiences can lead to toxic stress. Given that early life stressors are likely to harm brain development, climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a children’s rights issue.
Early childhood, from birth to around age eight, is a sensitive period for cognitive, emotional, and social development, where foundational skills, attitudes, and values are shaped. During this period of human development, children form lasting habits, values, and ways of thinking about the world. In an era when climate change poses such a significant threat to child development, educating the youngest members of society about environmental sustainability has become a key priority.
By introducing climate change concepts during early childhood, educators and caregivers can foster a lifelong respect for nature and the planet. Nurturing a child’s understanding of climate change, as well as their sense of responsibility towards the environment, is essential in building a generation of environmentally conscious citizens. This approach not only benefits the environment but also aligns with principles of holistic child development, promoting creativity, problem-solving skills, and empathy — qualities essential for tackling global challenges like climate change.
Building climate literacy and resilience in early childhood education
Introducing climate literacy into early childhood curricula is crucial for building climate literacy from a young age. Curriculum frameworks can include basic environmental concepts, such as the importance of recycling, reducing waste, and conserving water. Educators can also address the causes and effects of climate change in age-appropriate ways, ensuring that children understand the global implications of local climate action. Climate literacy should not only aim to cultivate climate knowledge, but it should also aim to build positive attitudes toward environmental stewardship.
As children become more aware of climate change or as they experience extreme weather events and alarming news about climate change, they are likely to experience a range of emotions, such as guilt, fear or helplessness. Early interventions that build emotional resilience in children are critical to help them cope with negative climate emotions. Strategies such as mindfulness, outdoor play, and discussions about hopeful climate solutions can help children process their emotions and develop a proactive, rather than fearful, attitude toward climate challenges.
For climate change education to be effective, educators and caregivers must also be equipped with the tools and knowledge to guide young children in becoming climate literate, without becoming overwhelmed. Professional development programmes can help early childhood educators integrate climate literacy into their teaching practices. Training courses and resources like books, games and activity guides can support climate-focused learning at home. Additionally, creating a culture of environmental awareness in schools and childcare centres, such as through sustainable practices, can help create a learning environment that reinforces the importance of climate action.
Local communities play a vital role in promoting climate literacy among young children as well. By creating community gardens, hosting environmental fairs, or organising eco-friendly initiatives, communities can provide spaces for children to actively participate in climate action. Schools, community centres, and libraries can partner with local environmental organisations to offer workshops and activities specifically designed for young children, ensuring that climate education extends beyond the classroom.
Fostering young children’s engagement with climate action
Play is a natural mode of learning in early childhood, and learning through play in outdoor settings is a common feature of early childhood education. One of the most effective and fun ways to engage young children in climate action is through positive outdoor play and hands-on learning experiences. Integrating climate concepts into play-based activities can make learning about the environment fun and engaging. By having positive experiences in nature, young children can directly interact with the local environment, creating a sense of connectedness and responsibility.
Outdoor activities, such as planting trees, gardening, or observing wildlife, feel like play to young children. Yet, such activities can help them build a relationship with nature and an understanding of the importance of ecosystems and biodiversity. For example, these activities can be structured to include discussions about weather patterns, the water cycle, or how plants grow — all of which tie into broader climate change concepts over time.
Water play can introduce children to the idea of water conservation, while role-playing as environmental protectors can instil a sense of agency. Educators can also design simple experiments, such as observing the melting of ice cubes, to demonstrate the effects of rising temperatures. These hands-on experiences make abstract concepts like climate change tangible and easier for young minds to grasp.
Storytelling is another powerful tool in early childhood education which many children enjoy. Stories help children can explore complex topics like climate change in a way that is fun, creative, relatable, and understandable. For example, stories about animals or other living creatures losing their homes due to deforestation, or sea creatures affected by plastic pollution, can spark discussions about environmental stewardship and help children build empathy for all living beings, not just humans.
Through the creative arts, children can use drawing or model-building to express their understanding of climate-related issues. These activities also promote critical and creative thinking, an important element of education for sustainable development and education in general. Here, children can begin to make connections between their actions and the impact these could have on the well-being of the environment and other living creatures.
Involving families, caregivers and communities in climate action helps reinforce climate literacy and collective action. Parents, caregivers and other community members can act as role models for young children, demonstrating that everyone has an important role to play in addressing the climate crisis. Intergenerational activities, such as family tree-planting events or community clean-ups, provide opportunities for children to see adults model positive environmental behaviours, which they can emulate. During such activities, adults can advocate for young children’s involvement in climate action. These activities can also create a supportive environment where young children feel empowered to ask questions and express their ideas about climate action.
Empowering the next generation of environmental stewards
Incorporating climate action into early childhood education is paramount given the scale of the current climate crisis. Future generations of children will inherit the challenges of an ever-changing planet. Involving young children in climate action helps them develop an awareness of climate change and fosters a sense of agency in addressing it. Adults in caregiving roles and in authority have a critical role to play in informing young children about climate change, and more importantly, empowering them to take active action.
By building climate literacy from the earliest stages of development, we can cultivate hope, resilience, and environmental stewardship in the hearts and minds of the youngest members of our society. This will not only contribute to their holistic growth but also prepare them to be responsible caretakers of the Earth, now and in the future.
