Sustainable development is associated with progress in environmental protection, combining it with economic development, technological growth and social interaction. All of this is possible only with the help of processes in the field of education, changing the established approach to many processes taking place in society. Based on these insights, it is important to evaluate processes taking place in early childhood education (ECE), when foundations for all further life and activities are laid.
Purpose of research – to analyze the expression of the concept of sustainable development in ECE activities.
Research questions: how the concept of sustainable development is reflected in ECE documents, education plans and reports; what elements of this concept are integrated in educational projects of ECE; what role do communities of ECE institutions play in spreading sustainable development ideas?
Methodology of research. Research consisted of two stages: 1) theoretical analysis of scientific literature, documents, education plans and reports of ECE; 2) qualitative research of 20 educational projects of ECE (2022-2024), which was conducted using content analysis of data.
Main findings. After examining recently (2022-2024) published documents that regulate the educational activities of ECE institutions, it can be concluded that insufficient attention is paid to the concept of sustainable development and its expression in the educational process. Analysis of projects of ECE institutions allows us to say that in most cases the communities of ECE institutions themselves tend to show leadership in achieving sustainable development goals through their active inclusion in the educational content.

Authors:
Vaiva Jucevičiūtė-Bartkevičienė, Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Vaiva Jucevičiūtė-Bartkevičienė is currently an Associate Professor of Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania. She's interested in education (especially in the sphere of music and fine arts) and in the integration of art subjects. Her current project - "Sustainable Development in Early Childhood Education".

See this presentation on the full schedule – On Demand Schedule

Bookmark