Early childhood sector leads the way in Australian sustainability

'Central to the solution is teaching our children about getting back in balance with the natural systems of the Earth and preparing them for the changes we have imposed on their climate. This is our duty and responsibility as carers and educators of the future generation of Australians.'
— Australian Conservation Foundation President, Ian Lowe, in the latest Every Child.
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/shop/Details.cfm?ProdID=544

Australian services are demonstrating that sustainability is much more than worm farms and rain tanks; many have made environmental learning the heart of their programs, challenging young children not just to act responsibly but to question and debate the reasons for doing so.

Even small services, such as Woodbridge School (40 kms from Hobart) and The Point Preschool (Oyster Bay), are having a big influence on the way environmental education is taught—through whole-school participation, the study and use of traditional Indigenous cultural practices, and following children's leads to find holistic solutions to real problems.

The numerous examples listed in Every Child demonstrate why sustainability and climate change is everyone’s business—and how early childhood educators are leading the way.
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/every_child_magazine/every_child_index/every_child_vol_13_no_1_2007_sustainability.html


MEDIA COMMENT IS AVAILABLE

To arrange media comment, contact Julian Fleetwood on: 1800 356 900 (freecall), email: jfleetwood@earlychildhood.org.au.

For more information visit: www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au