Why is it important to protect the environment? Reasons presented by young children
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12525199 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Jane Spiteri (0000-0001-6625-2372, University of Malta, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2020 |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 175-191 |
| Publication date | 2020-10-12 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Environmental Education Research (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1350-4622 • E-ISSN: 1469-5871 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/13504622.2020.1829560 |
| OpenAlex | W3093083709 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 11 |
| References cited | 31 |
How children piece together their reasons for protecting the environment is an important but under-research area in early childhood education for sustainability (ECEfS). This article reviews findings related to young Maltese children’s (aged 3–7 years) reasons for protecting the environment. Adopting a qualitative case study approach, preliminary data were collected via observations in two state schools and one family household, semi-structured conversational interviews with children, children’s drawings and their interpretations of them, and document analysis. Findings showed that children were aware of the need to protect the environment, they were aware of some environmental issues within their local context. Children were able to share their opinions with adults about the importance of protecting the environment in different ways. Children’s reasons for protecting the environment centred round moral reasons; the effects on human life; the effects on endangered species; supports for living; and, aesthetics. Finally, the implications of these findings for ECEfS, policy and directions for future research are discussed
Context (archaeology · Developmental psychology · Early childhood education · Endangered species · Environmental education · Geography · Maltese · Pedagogy · Political science · Public relations · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Sustainability · Children's Rights and Participation · Early Childhood Education and Development · Environmental Education and Sustainability · Psychology · Social Psychology · Ecology
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| Unique citing works | 11 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2,75 |
| Citation span | 2022 - 2026 (5) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 11 |