ABSTRACT
This study examines young children’s understanding of environmental issues in Malta. Informed by a socio-cultural perspective and adopting a qualitative methodology, this case study was conducted with 10 children (ages 3–7). The data were obtained through children’s interpretation of photographs depicting environmental issues. The results showed that young children possess some understanding of environmental issues and they could talk about them, indicating that environmental understanding starts in early childhood. Some children also held misconceptions about environmental issues. In light of these findings, it can be argued that starting environmental learning in early childhood is important for the achievement of a sustainable future.
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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
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Jane Spiteri
Jane Spiteri is a lecturer in the Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education, within the Faculty of Education, at the University of Malta. Dr Spiteri holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh with a doctoral research on early childhood education for sustainability.