Early Childhood Environmental radiobiology education: Cultivating radiation safety habits through the “Little Guardians” program in Saudi preschools

Environmental radiobiology increasingly emphasizes how everyday routines formed in early childhood shape lifelong exposure patterns, yet evidence-based preschool programs that integrate environmental responsibility with basic radiation-safety education remain scarce, especially in developing countries. This study evaluated the “Little Guardians: Preschool Environmental & Radiation-Safety Routines” program as an educational intervention designed to apply environmental radiobiology principles in an age-appropriate, behavior-focused context. A mixed-methods randomized controlled trial was conducted with 60 preschool children (aged 5–6 years) in Majmaah, Saudi Arabia. The experimental group (n = 30) received ten interactive “Little Guardians” sessions over five weeks, while the control group (n = 30) followed the regular curriculum. Outcomes were assessed at pre-test, post-test, and two-month follow-up using the Child Environmental and Radiation-Safety Awareness Scale (CERSA), the Caregiver Environmental Practice Questionnaire (CEPQ), the Teacher Behavioral Observation Log (TBOL), and semi-structured interviews with teachers and principals. Compared to controls, the experimental group showed statistically significant gains in environmental and radiation-safety awareness and eco-safety behaviours at post-test, which were maintained at two-month follow-up. Caregiver reports confirmed the transfer and retention of routines in home settings. Qualitative findings highlighted children's increased curiosity and self-regulation, teachers' positive perceptions of feasibility, and persistent curricular and resource gaps in sustainability and radiation-safety education. Embedding age-appropriate environmental and radiation-safety content within preschool routines, supported by home–school continuity, can effectively foster eco-safety habits in young children and inform curriculum development aligned with the sustainability goals of Saudi Vision 2030.