Conference presentation
Embedding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into Early Childhood Education and Care Practice and Teaching
Early Childhood Australia (ECA) National Conference, 36th (Brisbane, Australia, 17-Sep-2024–20-Sep-2024)
2024
Abstract
Early childhood education plays a vital role in nurturing children perspectives, values, and attitudes from a young age. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015 by all United Nations Member States, are a universal call to action encompassing a wide range of critical global issues. The SDGs provide “a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future” (United Nations, n.d.). Given the comprehensive nature of these goals, their success requires collective efforts across various sectors, including education. Early childhood educators can play a crucial role in fostering awareness and advocacy for environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Working with children addressing these issues has extraordinary potential to support the achievement of the SDGs. However, many early childhood professionals are unaware of the SDGs or that they are relevant in a high-income country like Australia. In this presentation, we will unpack the 17 SDGs and how they can be embedded into everyday early childhood education and care practices and teaching. We will share our free educator resource that includes suggested vocabulary, discussion points, experiences, website links and children’s reading books for each goal. Links to the EYLF and Indigenous perspectives are contained in addition to recommended readings for educators. Examples of practice will be showcased in relation to SDGs 1, 2, 14 and 15 (No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Life Below Water and Life on Land, respectively). Sustainability does not need to be a frightening or negative experience for young children, nor do educators need a wealth of knowledge to incorporate it into their practice. This presentation will provide early childhood professionals with the confidence and tools to embed the SDGs into their settings and practice.
Details
- Title
- Embedding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into Early Childhood Education and Care Practice and Teaching
- Authors
- Vicki Christopher (Author) - University of Southern QueenslandKym Simoncini (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyCynthia Hicban (Author)
- Conference details
- Early Childhood Australia (ECA) National Conference, 36th (Brisbane, Australia, 17-Sep-2024–20-Sep-2024)
- Date published
- 2024
- Organisation Unit
- School of Education and Tertiary Access
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991168345002621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
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