ERIC Number: EJ1436195
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Sep
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0814-0626
EISSN: EISSN-2049-775X
Connecting Children to Nature through the Integration of Indigenous Ecological Knowledge into Early Childhood Environmental Education
Australian Journal of Environmental Education, v39 n3 p349-361 2023
In this paper, we draw on the ontology and epistemology of the local Kasena ethnic group in Northern Ghana to explore Early Childhood Environmental Education. The study, taking place in Boania Primary School, drew on the concept of two-eyed seeing, where both western and Indigenous epistemologies and ontologies were taught. In this way, Indigenous Ecological Knowledge was integrated into the Early Childhood Environmental Education programme for the Kindergarten two classroom environmental studies topics. Two Indigenous Elders led the integration of local knowledge into environmental studies topics by visiting the school to teach the children through taking them outdoors for learning activities. After this, in-depth interviews were held with the teacher, Indigenous Elders, and nine children regarding their experiences. The purpose of the study was to explore how Indigenous Ecological Knowledges can help instill in children positive environmental attitudes and values, while also connecting them to nature and offering them a more relational understanding of human to nature relationships. Based on the Indigenous cultural framework of respect, reciprocity, and responsibility towards nature, the findings show that the integration of Indigenous Ecological Knowledge into environmental education has the potential to improve our relationships with the environment.
Descriptors: Indigenous Knowledge, Ecology, Early Childhood Education, Environmental Education, Integrated Activities, Foreign Countries, Elementary School Science, Kindergarten, Intersectionality, Outdoor Education, Positive Attitudes, Relationship
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Kindergarten; Primary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Ghana
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A