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Why We Should Start Early with ESD for Lifelong Learning

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Handbook of Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development

Part of the book series: World Sustainability Series ((WSUSE))

Abstract

Early childhood is characterised by the greatest and most significant period of human development. It has been recognised by the international early childhood community as the foundation towards lifelong learning for sustainability. This paper is located in the field of early childhood education for sustainability (ECEfS) and has particular focus on Malta. It sought to gather insights into young children’s perceptions of environmental sustainability and the influences that shaped these perceptions, particularly in the context of the family and the school. This qualitative multiple case study comprised 12 children (aged between three and seven years), 10 parents, five teachers and a head teacher. Data were generated through observations in two State primary schools and one household; conversational interviews with children; children’s interpretations of photographs; children’s drawings and interpretation of them; interviews with parents, teachers and head teacher; a researcher’s journal and document analysis. The findings are meaningful for lifelong learning for sustainability in that they show that children’s perceptions of the environment and environmental sustainability started at an early age; were influenced by context; and were socially and culturally constructed. Children were able to discuss issues related to environmental sustainability at a basic level by drawing on personal experience. This paper will be useful to academics, researchers and policy-makers interested in expanding and improving ECEfS.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Environmental sustainability permits the use of the natural environment for the benefit of humanity, provided that people do not degrade it to a level where it will not sustain itself.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Msida, Malta

    Jane Spiteri

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  1. Jane Spiteri
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Correspondence to Jane Spiteri .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Life Sciences, HAW Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Walter Leal Filho

  2. Centre for Environmental Education and Research, University of Malta, Msida, Malta

    Mark Mifsud

  3. Centre for Environmental Education and Research, University of Malta, Msida, Malta

    Paul Pace

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Spiteri, J. (2018). Why We Should Start Early with ESD for Lifelong Learning. In: Leal Filho, W., Mifsud, M., Pace, P. (eds) Handbook of Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development. World Sustainability Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-63534-7_8

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