Understanding young children’s perspectives about marine plastic

Abstract

Besides being a cross-curricular theme required by the National Curriculum Framework, Education for Sustainable Development promotes a pedagogy that is alive and focuses on 21st century skills such as critical thinking and problem solving that empower individuals, irrespective of age, to be responsible citizens. Early childhood education is crucial in the development of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that promote sustainable lifestyles. This research project will explore what young children think about marine plastic. The researcher will adopt storytelling to bring to light children’s view of marine plastic, its origin, its impact and ways to reduce the problem. Understanding how children comprehend these concepts and the inherent misconceptions will help educators involved in early childhood education to design more effective learning activities. I will commence the research by interviewing the children about the theme (i.e., marine plastic). I will then construct a concept map with the information given during the interview. I will then deliver a learning activity involving a storytelling session about the theme. A day after the lesson I will interview the same children once again about the theme. A deep analysis of the two concept maps will help me to identify how concepts about marine plastic develop in the sampled children as well as their feelings, attitudes and values and their willingness to do something about the environmental problem.