apologies for cross-postings... Hi Everyone,
My son's preschool is studying transportation this month (planes, cars, trains, etc). His teacher is willing to include information about the environmental (including global warming) implications of different transportation choices, but doesn't know of materials aimed a 2-4 year olds. Also, she needs to remain factual, not political, since not all parents are equally environmentally concerned. Does anyone know of transportation education materials/curriculum for children this young? I'd greatly appreciate any information you can share.
Thanks very much!
Amara Brook
Santa Clara University
Transportation and Environment - Materials/Curriculum for 2-4 Year Olds?
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Despite my ardent environmentalism, I have to take issue with the query about environmental curricula for 2-4 year-olds. Kids at that age are hardly an audience for this kind of discussion. I recommend reading David Sobel's book "Beyond Ecophobia," wherein the author suggests we honor children's developmental stages. We greatly risk disassociating preschoolers from nature with a "doom and gloom" approach. The focus during early childhood should be on getting kids to connect with and love nature before asking them to save it.
Liz Forrestal
Interpretive Exhibits Coordinator
Saint Louis Zoo
One Government Drive
St. Louis, MO 63110 314-781-0900,
x316 [email protected]
How about putting transportation into a context that young children can understand like walking (biking) to school--and all the healthy habits that sets up as well as the emphasis on safety. There are tons of programs on Walk To School and some fun programs like the Walking School Bus. Search Google on transportation preschool curriculum.
Terri
Teaching kids about more earth friendly and sustainable ways to transport people and things is not taking a "doom and gloom" approach. If the kids are being taught about transportation they might as well be taught about eco-friendly ways to carry out transportation. For example there could be lessons on trains which talk about how big, fast and powerful they are and how many people (esp in other countries) rely on them to move around. Maybe there could be a little section on transport of the future talking about mono rails or electric cars. No doom and gloom, just positive pitches for efficient transit.
You might want to check Go Green, an initiative targeted at greening schools. www.gogreeninitiative.org
Good luck
Daniele Loffreda
Plateau Enviro, LLC
-Sustainable Environments-
2331 West Hampden Avenue, Unit 135
Sheridan, CO 80110
Tel: 917 334 7422
Fax: 303 484 3598
I would echo Liz's concerns/comments. David Sobel is an excellent source and I couldn't have said it better.
Gail Epping Overholt
Milwaukee River Basin Educator
Wisconsin Basin Initiative
University of Wisconsin
Extension 932
S. 60th Street West Allis, WI 53214
Phone: (414) 290-2434
Cellular: (608) 206-3972
Fax: (414) 290-2424
[email protected]
...
See New Society Publishers' offerings - They have one on Teaching Green for K-5 grades, at least. http://www.newsociety.com/bookid/3886
Karen Engelsen
Communications Director
Alliance for Sustainability