How Sustainability Links to ‘Understanding the World’ in Early Years
Sustainability is an important part of helping young children understand the world around them. In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the area of learning ‘Understanding the World’ encourages children to explore nature, their environment, communities, and the wider world. By introducing sustainability from an early age, children begin to develop a sense of responsibility and care for the planet.
Areas of Learning in the EYFS
In the EYFS, there are seven areas of learning and development which providers must teach and embed into their curriculum. These include three prime areas: Communication and Language, Physical Development, and Personal, Social and Emotional Development, which provide the foundation for children’s learning. The four specific areas are Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design. Together, these areas interlink and support children’s overall development and help them gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed for future learning.
The EYFS states that ‘Understanding the World’ involves helping children develop an awareness of their physical environment and the communities they belong to. Through a wide range of regular and meaningful experiences, children expand their knowledge, deepen their understanding, and build a stronger sense of the world around them.
Sustainability Concepts and Activities
Sustainability concepts should be taught at an age-appropriate level and should be explored through various activities that allow children to observe nature, care for others, and understand how their actions affect the environment.
Below is a list of concepts and activity ideas linked to ‘Understanding the World’:
• 🌱 Planting and growing – children plant seeds, care for plants, and learn how food grows.
• 🍂 Nature walks – explore local environments, collect natural objects, and observe changes in seasons.
• ♻️ Recycling activities – sort materials into recycling bins and discuss how we can reduce waste.
• 💧 Saving water – talk about turning taps off, collecting rainwater, and why water is important.
• 🐞 Mini-beast hunts – explore insects and learn about caring for living things.
• 🐦 Creating habitats – make bird feeders, bug hotels, or wildlife areas to support animals.
• 🍎 Composting – use food scraps to learn how waste can be reused to help plants grow.
• 🌍 Stories about the environment – read books about nature, animals, and caring for the Earth.
• 🎨 Using recycled materials for art – create models, collages, or crafts from reused items.
• 🌦️ Weather observations – track weather changes and discuss how they affect the world around us.
• 🥕 Cooking activities – use seasonal foods and discuss where ingredients come from.
• 🔍 Exploring natural materials – investigate rocks, leaves, sticks, shells, and other objects from nature.
• 🚶 Eco-friendly journeys – discuss walking, cycling, and caring for the local environment.
• 🐑 Learning about animals – explore how animals live, what they need, and how we can protect them.
• 🏡 Caring for the nursery environment – encourage children to tidy, reuse resources, and look after shared spaces.
Overall, sustainability links to ‘Understanding the World’ by connecting them with their environment, developing their knowledge of how the world works, and building their respect for living things. Teaching children sustainable habits supports them in becoming eco-conscious citizens.
Useful Links
Sustainability: showcasetraining.co.uk/sustainability/
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework–2