Children in the early years can be aware of big issues in the world, like climate change. They also have the power to make a difference. Early childhood educators can help children take responsibility and take action regarding climate change, sustainability and the environment.
Climate change links with children's right to be heard and to make choices and decisions that influence their world. Read about independence, agency and self-help skills.
This topic also connects with weather.
EYLF and NQS
The National Quality Standard requires early education services to care for the environment and support children to become environmentally responsible (3.2.3). The Early Years Learning Framework asks children to become socially responsible and show respect for the environment (2.4).
Learning experiences
Read Goldilocks
Introduce climate change to children by reading the story of Goldilocks. She wanted things "just right". Not too hot, not too cold. Explain that we need the temperature on Earth to be just right too.
Discover climate data
How do we know Australia is warming? View climate change trends published by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Preschool children can use the charts to visualise the dramatic increase in temperature over the last century.
Watch ice melt
Children can learn about the effects of environmental temperature through a simple science experiment. Freeze a large block of ice and place it in a trough. Add toy penguins if you have them.
Explain that animals, like penguins and polar bears, need ice to live on. But what happens if our world gets too hot? Take the trough of ice outside on a sunny day so children can observe the change.
Watch sea levels rise
This is another science experiment that involves ice, but the focus is the changing sea levels. Make an island from a lump of playdough and decorate it with trees. Place the island at the end of a small tub of water. Add a large block of ice to the tub and encourage children to watch it melt over time. What happens to the island after the ice melts?
Events
- Earth Hour is in March
- 23rd March is World Meteorological Day
- 22nd April is International Mother Earth Day
- 5th June is World Environment Day
- 16th September is International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
Resources
Websites
- National Geographic Kids: What is climate change?
- National Geographic: What is global warming?
- Curious Kids: Does the sky protect the Earth and if yes, then how?
- Curious Kids: Can we heal the damage humans have done to earth?
- NASA: Climate Change for Kids