By Hafsa Obeng
Accra, Nov. 21, GNA – The Environmental Protection Agency says learning environmental education at the early childhood stage promotes critical and creative thinking skills and inspires learners to become more engaged with their communities.
Mrs. Esi Nana Nerquaye-Tetteh, Deputy Executive Director in charge of Technical Services at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said this also helps children to know more about the environment and its protection.
She said this during a consultative meeting organised by the EPA on how to integrate environmental education into the curriculum of Early Childhood Education in Ghana.
The aim of the consultative meeting was to explore effective practices and opportunities to collaborate on initiatives that could empower both educators and children to engage with their environment in meaningful ways.
The meeting brought together early childhood educators, policymakers, and environmental experts to discuss strategies for integrating environmental protection and sustainability education in early childhood development programmes.
Mrs. Nerquaye-Tetteh said the EPA recognized the crucial role of environmental education in shaping the values and behaviours of learners.
She said the early years of children were the foundation for their future development, providing a strong base for lifelong learning and learning abilities, including cognitive and social development.
She added that “A solid foundation in literacy skills in early childhood is vital for academic success and future opportunities.”
Mr. Samuel Nortey Quaye, Principal Programmes Officer (PPO), Environmental Education Unit, said environmental education referred to organized efforts to teach how the natural environment functions, particularly how human beings could manage behaviour and ecosystems to live sustainably.
He said some approaches adopted by the Unit include stakeholder engagement, schools programmes, use of the media, engagement with faith and community-based organizations, exhibitions, celebration of international world days and the involvement of environmental assessment processes.
He said, “The two methods adopted by the Unit in reaching their audience, include the discussion method which includes simple form of group -based learning that provides for a broader.”
GNA