Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Awareness among Preschool Children: An Interventional Study

Abstract

Background: Recently, the world has been facing serious environmental issues, such as rising temperatures, water pollution, Global warming, energy use, ocean acidification, land degradation …. etc. These challenges have occurred due to human maltreatment of natural resources. Hereafter, meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs is crucial. Hence, sustainable awareness and environmental literacy at early ages are vital.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nursing intervention on environmental literacy and sustainability awareness among preschool children.

Methodology: A quasi-experimental design was used to conduct the study on 80 preschoolers at 5 governmental nursery schools. Tools of data collection: First tool; included structured questionnaire sheet consists of three parts (demographic characteristics & environmental knowledge of preschool children), second tool: Sustainability attitude of preschool children and third tool: Sustainability practice of preschool children.

Results: The study revealed that pre-intervention none (0%) of children had environmental knowledge, albeit all of them (100%) were knowledgeable post intervention. As to sustainability attitude score, 12.5% held positive attitude pre intervention compared to​​ 87.5% post intervention. Finally, preschool children's overall sustainability practice score was 1.2% pre intervention compared to 98.8% post intervention.

Conclusion: A discernable improvement was prominent in preschoolers’ environmental knowledge, attitude and practice after nursing intervention.

Recommendations: Implementation of environmental sustainability programs for preschoolers. As well, sustainability education ought to be directed to parents to guarantee conveying it to new generations.