Toward a Greener and Cleaner Future: Adopting a Two-Generation Strategy for Early Childhood Development and the Environment
Neighborhoods matter for children’s development. They are places where young children play, learn, and families live their daily lives. The effects of neighborhood conditions have an impact on both the developing child and the well-being of families. For some communities, exposure to toxic chemicals in their soil, air, water, or household products have remained unattended for years. According to the 2020 report The Toxic Truth by UNICEF and Pure Earth, lead poisoning is affecting young children on a “massive and previously unknown scale.” At the same time, UNICEF, Save the Children as well as other regional (e.g. ARNEC, AfECN) and local (e.g. Fondo Acción) organizations have been documenting the risks of climate change on young children. The impacts of climate change increasingly put young children and communities at risk. This includes those experiencing extreme heat, flooding, fires, and other environmental emergencies.
Policymakers and leaders at all levels must take action and prioritize addressing environmental issues impacting this generation and the ones to follow. Sustainable development is dependent on such action. The early childhood community is bearing witness to these threats to healthy development. They are seeing the immediate effect on pregnant women and young children as well as the growing threat of disruption and displacement of families. Early childhood programs and providers are already in the vanguard of building resiliency in young children by providing nurturing care and a strong social and emotional foundation. Every aspect of our work with children, families, and communities should incorporate and respond to building a greener, cleaner future by adopting a two-generation approach. We must acknowledge the linkages between environmental issues and early childhood development. For example, consider the following actions:
Raise awareness. If you are already seeing the impact of environmental issues on children, share what you are seeing with those responsible for community planning and policy. Do not underestimate the effectiveness of storytelling and real-life examples. Ask parents how the environment in their neighborhoods is impacting their families. Empower parents to raise these issues with community leaders. There are also an increasing number of reports and tools available for you to help others understand the impact on all components of nurturing care including health, nutrition, early learning, safety and security and responsive caregiving.
Integrate the goal of a cleaner and greener environment into all aspects of the early childhood ecosystem. Greening early childhood is not an isolated subject but rather an approach to becoming more intentional in assuring that we protect children from environmental risks (e.g. promoting lead screening, speaking up about air pollution). It also promotes nurturing care and brings children and families closer to the natural environment. Every program should consider what this means for their curriculum, teacher training, improving nutrition, use of natural play spaces, family support and engagement strategy, and the provision of eco-friendly facilities and transportation systems.
Develop partnerships to support parents in securing green jobs, healthy working conditions, and improved livelihoods. Two-generation programs recognize that the conditions of families impact young children. There is increasing recognition that helping families access better jobs, particularly newer jobs with improved opportunities, supports family well-being and parental responsiveness. Partnering with job training or placement organizations as well as those working to assure improved working conditions is one way for early childhood programs to work toward this goal.
Prepare for emergencies. Early childhood programs are often the first-place people turn to for support in times of emergencies. We need to help families prepare and cope with emergencies including being equipped to support children and parents along the way. Adequate planning and establishing procedures in case of emergencies is essential as well as preparing and supporting staff.
Join with others. Collective action is critical across stakeholders (e.g. public health providers, youth advocates, parent and civic organizations, environmentalists and other early childhood and family support groups) to promote child- and family-sensitive, multi-sectoral climate plans and environmental policies. Becoming a part of this movement is not someone else’s business– it should be integrated into everything that we do. Collective action at every level, starting with community action, can positively improve conditions for generations to come.
Children have a right to a clean environment. Working together and taking action provides a sense of agency– it brings us all hope. Every step forward counts.
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About the Authors:
Joan Lombardi, Ph.D. is Director at Early Opportunities and Senior Fellow at Georgetown University’s Collaborative on Global Children's Issues.
Fabiola A. Lara is Founder and Principal Consultant at EquaNurture.
This blog post originally appeared on EquaNurture’s blog.