Today’s world faces interconnected environmental, economic, and social challenges—collectively described as a polycrisis—that threaten the well-being of future generations. Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) can play a transformative role in building sustainable pathways. This chapter argues that nurturing ecological wisdom during toddlerhood offers a holistic response to these complex challenges. Ecological wisdom combines emotional connection, ethical care, and social responsibility toward nature, fostering long-term ecological balance over short-term solutions. Drawing on theory, research, and practical examples from Sweden and Türkiye, the chapter illustrates how Early Childhood Education for Sustainability (ECEfS) can help very young children develop foundational values of empathy and environmental stewardship. Through hands-on, sensory-rich activities—such as gardening, forest play, and community engagement—toddlers begin to experience and understand their relationship with the natural world. Educators act as guides and role models, translating complex sustainability concepts into simple, meaningful practices suited to toddlers’ ways of learning. The chapter highlights challenges in implementing ECEfS, including limited resources, institutional barriers, and the difficulty of adapting abstract ecological concepts for very young children. Practical strategies are proposed for integrating sustainability into daily routines, storytelling, and play, while fostering collaboration with families and communities. Ultimately, cultivating ecological wisdom in early childhood is not just an educational aim but a societal necessity. By embedding sustainability into toddlers’ everyday experiences, ECEfS lays the foundation for resilient, environmentally conscious individuals capable of navigating and mitigating future ecological disruptions.

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Early Childhood Education for Sustainability: Empowering Toddlers’ Ecological Wisdom in a Polycrisis Context

  • Deniz Kahriman Pamuk,
  • Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson

摘要

Today’s world faces interconnected environmental, economic, and social challenges—collectively described as a polycrisis—that threaten the well-being of future generations. Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) can play a transformative role in building sustainable pathways. This chapter argues that nurturing ecological wisdom during toddlerhood offers a holistic response to these complex challenges. Ecological wisdom combines emotional connection, ethical care, and social responsibility toward nature, fostering long-term ecological balance over short-term solutions. Drawing on theory, research, and practical examples from Sweden and Türkiye, the chapter illustrates how Early Childhood Education for Sustainability (ECEfS) can help very young children develop foundational values of empathy and environmental stewardship. Through hands-on, sensory-rich activities—such as gardening, forest play, and community engagement—toddlers begin to experience and understand their relationship with the natural world. Educators act as guides and role models, translating complex sustainability concepts into simple, meaningful practices suited to toddlers’ ways of learning. The chapter highlights challenges in implementing ECEfS, including limited resources, institutional barriers, and the difficulty of adapting abstract ecological concepts for very young children. Practical strategies are proposed for integrating sustainability into daily routines, storytelling, and play, while fostering collaboration with families and communities. Ultimately, cultivating ecological wisdom in early childhood is not just an educational aim but a societal necessity. By embedding sustainability into toddlers’ everyday experiences, ECEfS lays the foundation for resilient, environmentally conscious individuals capable of navigating and mitigating future ecological disruptions.