Children today are growing up amid pollution, climate change, and environmental degradation. Introducing climate education early helps build awareness, responsibility, and lifelong sustainable habits, starting from the classroom.
By introducing environmental learning through play, nature-based activities, and simple everyday actions, schools can empower children to understand their surroundings, adopt sustainable behaviors, and believe in their ability to make a difference.
What Makes Early Climate Education Effective
Young children can understand basic environmental concepts when taught through stories, play, and hands-on activities. Early exposure encourages positive behaviors like recycling and water conservation while correcting common misconceptions in an age-appropriate way.
High-quality programs combine child-centered learning, nature-based activities, structured curricula, and well-prepared educators. Together, these elements help children develop curiosity, responsibility, and care for the environment.
Five Practical Ways to Teach Children About the Environment
Simple, everyday actions make environmental learning meaningful:
-
Spending time in nature
-
Visiting farms and gardens
-
Participating in cleanups
-
Practicing waste segregation
-
Discussing environmental issues in child-friendly ways
These approaches turn learning into real-life experience.
Global Efforts Supporting Environmental Education for Children
SDG Target 4.7
Encourages countries to teach sustainability skills from an early age through play and exploration.
UNESCO – Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
Promotes whole-school approaches that embed sustainability into learning, teaching, and school life.
UNICEF Initiatives
Focus on child-friendly climate education that empowers children and builds confidence through nature-based learning.
The Greening Education Partnership
Supports countries in greening education systems through climate-ready curricula, teacher training, and sustainable schools.
