‘It's all about Ben10™’: children's play, health and sustainability decisions in the early years

Abstract

In today's fast food, fast-paced consumer society, too few questions are asked about the influence of digital media on young children's health and sustainability choices, and indeed how such choices are expressed in children's play (and early childhood classrooms). By interviewing children and parents, and using such data to prompt teacher discussion, a team of interdisciplinary researchers have started to develop an understanding of the interconnectedness of these issues in the early childhood environment. Data reveal the strong relationship between children's digital media viewing and their associated clothing choices, their food selections and the sustainability consequences of such behaviour. We conclude that early childhood education must move beyond silo approaches to digital literacy, healthy eating and sustainability messages.