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EED403 Environmental Sustainability in Early Childhood (8)

Abstract

This subject looks at the ideas and actions that demonstrate what early childhood educational communities can do when children, teachers and parents work together to address one of the most serious issues of our time.  It focuses on what early childhood education – and specifically, early childhood teacher education – can and should do to play its part in helping societies move towards sustainable living. The syllabus will examine the relationship between scientific theories of environmental management and link early childhood theory to the practices of environmental sustainability.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 1
InternalNorthern Sydney Institute
DistanceAlbury-Wodonga Campus
Session 3
DistanceAlbury-Wodonga Campus
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: EED403
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
One sessionHD/FLSchool of Education

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- be familiar with the various concepts, theories, priorities and practices that define sustainability, with a particular focus on contemporary debates concerning young children’s relationship with their environment;
- develop a leadership culture for working towards sustainability;
- demonstrate practical skills in developing educational experiences that use sound scientific theories to investigate environmental issues relating to sustainable living;
- be able to demonstrate the relationship between environmental and economic sustainability in the ECEC context;
- be able to develop healthy and sustainable environments for young children and communities;
- be able to articulate the value and process of being a sustainable early childhood setting; and,
- be able demonstrate effective interpersonal communication skills and relationship building strategies to afford effective teams.
 

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
The relationship between scientific theories of environmental management―linking theory to practice. Understanding the importance of leadership in the area of sustainability in ECEC. Exploring explicit strategies for introducing sustainable practices into EC settings. Exploring and developing pedagogical competence in environmental education in ECEC. Exploring and critiquing innovative sustainable programs. Exploring issues in environmental education: such as government policies and eco-justice issues. Questioning what is a sustainable child care service from a scientific, economic and social perspective. Develop critical analytical skills to research current and future environmental sustainable living options.

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The information contained in the 2015 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 01 October 2015. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.