ERIC Number: EJ1108027
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2331-0464
EISSN: N/A
"Growing Up WILD": Teaching Environmental Education in Early Childhood
Fortino, Carol; Gerretson, Helen; Button, Linda; Masters, Vivian
International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, v2 n1 p156-171 2014
A growing body of research, both nationally and internationally, indicates that children in the early childhood years (birth to age 8) learn primarily through their senses and from direct experience. They develop an understanding about the world through play, exploration, and creative activities as well as by watching and imitating adults and other children. "Growing Up WILD" (2010) is a large format book that promotes teacher efficacy with 27 developmentally appropriate activities, yet gives educators the flexibility to modify activities to meet the needs of children at different age levels and learning stages. The authors describe the contents of the resource as it presents a wide range of options for a variety of classroom strategies: small group, whole group, centers, pair and individual work, plus teachable moments that encourage child-initiated learning experiences. Activities allow opportunities for learning through play by integrating environmental science with literacy, math, and art. Social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive domains are involved as students participate in hands-on experiences that are particularly effective in early childhood settings. Included in the article is a summary of activities that align with the NAAEE guidelines for teaching environmental education concepts, as well as the Early Childhood Environmental Education Programs: Guidelines for Excellence, and addresses the Head Start Outcomes.
Descriptors: Environmental Education, Early Childhood Education, Young Children, Teaching Methods, Small Group Instruction, Large Group Instruction, Cooperative Learning, Independent Study, Learner Engagement, Play, Interdisciplinary Approach, Experiential Learning, Learning Activities, Consciousness Raising
North American Association for Environmnental Education. 2000 P Street NW Suite 540, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-419-0412; Web site: https://naaee.org/eepro/resources/international-journal-early-childhood-environmental-education-ijecee
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A