Effects of an Ecological Environment Education Program on the Pro-environmental Competency of Preschoolers and Their Parents

This study examined the effects of an ecological environmental education program on preschoolers’ pro-environmental competencies and its subsequent influence on their parents. The participants included 42 five-year-old children from two classes at S Kindergarten in Y City, along with five mothers who voluntarily participated in in-depth interviews. The pre- and post-program questionnaires were administered to the children, while qualitative interviews were conducted with the children and their parents. The Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test indicated statistically significant improvements in children’s saving, recycling, and environmental conservation behaviors (all p<0.001). Qualitative analyses showed that children’s heightened environmental awareness and practices positively shaped their parents’ attitudes and behaviors. These findings highlight the significance of integrating ecological environmental education into early childhood curricula as a means to foster sustainable, family-level environmental responsibility.