A Study on the Development of Early Childhood Environmental Education Program and Yong Children's Experiences

This study explored the environmental education experiences of young children by constructing and applying an environmental education program to develop their understanding, attitude, and sensitivity toward the environment in order to obtain implications for early childhood environmental education. The content elements of carbon neutrality, life-saving, and forest love were selected based on theoretical research, and the activity stages of learning, playing, practicing, and sharing were established to construct an environmental education program linking institutions, homes, and local communities. This program was applied to 28 5-year-old children at the W Daycare Center in W City. The experiences of young children during the program implementation process were collected through participant observation and analyzed using qualitative research methods. The results of the analysis are as follows: Young children can explore spontaneously and, if supported by an exploratory environment, they can sufficiently expand and deepen their exploration. In addition, young children develop sensitivity by feeling and expressing the emotions of empathy and compassion.