Julie M. Davis

This book presents an historical and contemporary overview of Early Childhood Education for Sustainability (ECEfS). It is written by pioneering Australian and Swedish researchers and includes commentary from other key academics in the field. It traces ECEfS from its 1980’s origins through to contemporary shifts in policy, theory and practice, and considers significant learnings and future directions. It frames this rich and diverse history through changes in thinking about children, educators, nature/environment dualities and sustainability, and how (re)conceptualisations might further advance ECEfS. This book offers fresh perspectives on how sustainability and climate change can be positively addressed with, by, and for our youngest citizens, especially in times of increasing uncertainty, destabilisation, and urgency for action.

This book offers an accessible guide to understanding the importance of a systems approach to embedding sustainability into teacher education practice, providing a practical resource for teacher education academics and others with an interest in organisational change. It draws principally on the findings of a 12-year research project in Australia, working directly with academics and their teacher education institutions to ensure that sustainability and education for sustainability are embedded in teacher education courses. Illustrating the need for change in teacher education in the context of education for sustainability, the book discusses the theory underpinning and practical application of a system-based change model. It also offers examples of how the model has been used in practice and shows education academics how to implement change within their own organizations and use the ideas and tools presented to advance sustainability in their discipline areas.