<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> With this article, the author intends to outline a legitimising basis for implementing education for sustainable development (ESD) in early childhood education, in juridical, pedagogical and political terms. Starting from our current ecological crisis, the ontological assumptions of modern culture are considered obstructive to possibilities for mitigation. The author affirms a need for constructing new conceptual frameworks in the field of ESD suitable also for the youngest children. The very logic of the reigning notion of knowledge requires revision in order to secure successful implementation as well as fostering citizens with the moral agency required to meet calamity. Ontological insights from deep ecology are suggested integrated with the more practical epistemological concept of ecological habitus. Possible gains are not exclusively related to sustainability, but also include positive impacts on the life quality of young children as such.</p></abstract>

With this article, the author intends to outline a legitimising basis for implementing education for sustainable development (ESD) in early childhood education, in juridical, pedagogical and political terms. Starting from our current ecological crisis, the ontological assumptions of modern culture are considered obstructive to possibilities for mitigation. The author affirms a need for constructing new conceptual frameworks in the field of ESD suitable also for the youngest children. The very logic of the reigning notion of knowledge requires revision in order to secure successful implementation as well as fostering citizens with the moral agency required to meet calamity. Ontological insights from deep ecology are suggested integrated with the more practical epistemological concept of ecological habitus. Possible gains are not exclusively related to sustainability, but also include positive impacts on the life quality of young children as such.

Why Education for Sustainable Development Needs Early Childhood Education: The Case of Norway

Assistant Professor in Social Sciences, Telemark University College, Faculty of Art, Folk Culture and Teacher Education, Postboks 842, 3007 Drammen, Norway

Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability

With this article, the author intends to outline a legitimising basis for implementing education for sustainable development (ESD) in early childhood...

Why Education for Sustainable Development Needs Early Childhood Education: The Case of Norway

Published Online: Jul 11, 2013

Page range: 107 - 120

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jtes-2013-0007

Keywords
early childhood education, kindergarten, cultural formation, habitus

This content is open access.

Why Education for Sustainable Development Needs Early Childhood Education: The Case of Norway

Published Online: Jul 11, 2013

Page range: 107 - 120

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jtes-2013-0007

Keywordsearly childhood education, kindergarten, cultural formation, habitus

This content is open access.

Keywords
early childhood education, kindergarten, cultural formation, habitus