Ecological Citizenship in the Early Years: Nurturing Children's Growing Participation in Environmental Curriculum and Research

• In Event: 15.059 - Fairmont Royal York Roundtable Session One
  In Roundtable Session: 15.059-5 - A Statewide Collaboration for Integrating Education for Sustainability Into Teacher Preparation

Abstract

The relationship between humans and their communities calls for ecological citizenship, a participatory ethic of care in which we protect natural systems and lands. This is of particular importance in urban environments where citizen engagement in environmental restoration and gardening projects can be an important way for residents to (re)connect with nature. These experiences can serve as a learning opportunity that develops environmental responsibility and motivates democratic practices. A school garden-based curriculum and pedagogy can connect children with nature, teach cross-curricular and ecological topics, and nurture children’s positive interactions with the environment and ecological citizenship. This paper shares understandings and experiences grown in a longitudinal study of children’s participation in school garden-based curriculum and research and their developing ecological citizenship.

Authors

• Susan Jagger, Ryerson University

• Meghan Hayward, Ryerson University