Early Childhood Environmental Education (ECEE): Issues and Curriculum Implications in the Nigerian Context

Abstract

The paper titled Early Childhood Environmental Education (ECEE) was designed as an appraisal study with its main objective as determining strategies for integrating ECEE into Early Childhood Care Education curriculum. Review was made of conceptual frame-works of early childhood, environment and environmental education. Also reviewed were earlier studies and scholarly opinions on the subject, based on which strategies were recommended in a way that would engage formalized processes of the curriculum in its dispensation. Recommendations made included that environmental education be introduced into the Early Childhood care Education (ECCE) curriculum, parents and adult members of the society are engaged as instructors. Recommend curriculum strategies included: use of games and simulation on environmental thematic issues, creations of nature’s corner in schools, organization of fun-fares, exhibitions fieldtrips and excursions to historical natural resources, use of nature and environment-based films, home-videos, textual materials and pictorials to convey environmental education messages to the young kids. The study was concluded by emphasizing the need to engage young kids in environmental issues that could capitalize their young impressionable minds as to shaping their attitudes towards nature and its resource base as well as their use and conservation as to ensuring their profitable and sustainable management. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n12p123