As the new Learning for Sustainability Action Plan is put together it is important to incorporate the views and experiences of children across all ages. The new curriculum needs to fulfil the human rights of all children in Scotland. This also comes under UNCRC incorporation in Scotland: children have the right to have their views considered by decision makers; the right to an education that fulfils their human rights, including learning about their physical environment, and the right to a safe and fair world to grow up in.
Answering the question Why is Learning for Sustainability important to you? the Early Years children we engaged with tended to most relate to Outdoor Learning as part of the Learning for Sustainability curriculum. They told us that playing and exploring their physical environment was something they were both interested in and wanted to keep doing.
“I like digging in the sandpit to see earthworms when I go to nursery”
Member of Children’s Parliament – Cowgate Under 5’s
It was interesting to note that across both settings, despite being in a rural versus urban location, the children related being outdoors to positive wellbeing and enjoyment. They were genuinely interested in learning about nature when given the chance to explore and connect their education to tangible experiences. This also meant that their relationship to the Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship elements of the Learning for Sustainability curriculum was less strong. These concepts are further removed for a younger child in their everyday experiences of nursery.
“I feel happy at FossoPLAY. Outdoors is like one big room to play in and explore. Indoors has less to do and is less fun”
Member of Children’s Parliament, FossoPLAY nursery
Now that we have finished our consultation process and heard from children the importance of play in the outdoors and including elements of Learning for Sustainability in their nurseries, we are left with the question of where to go next?
What does a Learning for Sustainability curriculum that engages Early Years children and fulfils their human rights look like? Is success content delivery and providing resources from another checklist? How can adults ensure that changes genuinely reflect how passionate children told us they are about Learning for Sustainability?
