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current predominant narrative that focuses on children as victims and their vulnerabilities, passivity, and powerlessness towards children with vital voices (as well as their caregivers) empowered as strong agents of change and valuable contributors in a changing climate into the future. We need to include children’s rights to participate meaningfully in decisions that affect them.” We often hear, too, from settings who are worried they don’t have enough green space to get involved, but most activities don’t need large amounts. The most important thing is to create regular awe-and-wonder moments in nature, which will foster natural curiosities. With supportive staff helping children engage in climate education initiatives like the National Education Nature Park, we believe that all settings can provide a solid foundation for introducing climate- and nature-based learning. EMPOWERING LEARNERS Climate education in early years isn’t just about imparting knowledge; it’s about fostering a deep connection with nature and nurturing a sense of responsibility towards our environment. Initiatives like the National Education Nature Park exemplify how settings can become centres of environmental learning and action. By empowering children to engage with and appreciate the natural world, we lay the foundation for a sustainable future where environmental stewardship is second nature. Through collaborative efforts between educators, parents, and communities, we can ensure that every child grows up with the knowledge, skills, and values to protect and preserve our planet for generations to come. START YOUR CLIMATE JOURNEY 1. Sign up today Visit educationnaturepark.org.uk and become part of the national movement; you’ll receive regular information on activities and grants and access to early years-specific resources. 2. Map your setting Children can take part in this reflective journey by looking closely at their outdoor space. You can then add your setting to the national map via the Nature Park website. 3. Learn to love soil Creating healthy soil is a fun activity that can take learning in many directions. Through inquiry and play, learners can explore what healthy soil is and begin to understand the important role it plays in a healthy environment. 4. Making changes Support children to plan environmentally friendly changes to their setting and then help in the process of making them a reality. Meaningful learning opportunities will abound throughout, and children will gain positive attitudes towards caring for the natural world around them. 5. Grow to eat Growing food can be a fantastic way to connect with nature and help learners begin to grasp where their food comes from. The process can be adapted for most settings, whether it’s planting in pots or potato bags in an urban setting or assigning part of the field to be a designated food-growing area. Plants, which make up a large proportion of our diet, are crucial for our health and wellbeing, and both healthy eating and taking part in planting experiences improve mental and physical health and wellbeing. 6. Links to literacy So many of the books we use in early years settings have nature connection in them – from the obvious and brilliant Stick Man by Julia Donaldson to The Bear in the Stars by Alexis Snell, which provides a perfect opportunity to lightly introduce the concept of climate change to children through the life of a polar bear exploring an ice habitat. Exploring ice is a fun and investigatory way to investigate changing states and climate change. 7. Apply for a Local School Nature Grant Your setting could receive £500 of outdoor learning equipment, a climate curriculum pack worth £150, and an on-site CPD training session delivered by an LtL member of staff. Visit tinyurl.com/TEYLtL 8. Enjoy it! The concept of climate education is rapidly evolving, so the most important thing is to just try it and have fun. All our research suggests that practitioners and teachers benefit from time outside and making positive changes to nature as much as the children they work with. LtL is the UK’s leading outdoor learning and play charity. Find out more at ltl.org.uk Teachearlyyears.com 25