Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/raising-global-citizens/5023008/
When I was in my 20s, I worked as a consultant developing environmental education curriculum for middle schoolers. And, as a consultant, I could work from almost any place that had an Internet connection, so I spent a winter working in Vermont. I took a weekend job teaching skiing, and because of my background in environmental education, the resort sent me to their youth program, where I was assigned to teach five year olds. Never having taught young children before, I assumed it would be easy.
I didn’t last the winter. But I gained a vast appreciation for the skill, training, and talent it takes to be an effective early childhood educator. And I brought that deep respect with me when, several years ago, the North American Association for Environmental Education called on me to help develop a new initiative to support early childhood environmental education.
I did a lot of observing when we started the initiative, which became the Natural Start Alliance. I’ve visited many early childhood programs and met all kinds of early childhood educators. I’ve talked to researchers and professors who train new teachers. I’ve read a lot.
Here’s what I’ve concluded: Early childhood environmental education represents the very best in ...