Young Children, Families, and the Environment: A Framework for Action

By Joan Lombardi

The environment touches every aspect of child development. The core elements of nurturing care (health, nutrition, caregiver responsiveness, early learning and safety and security) are all at risk due to environmental issues and the rapidly changing climate. At the same time, early childhood programs can serve as important protective factors for both children and their families. Four areas directly impact the developing child.

Health and Nutrition

At the most basic level, environmental conditions affect the health of pregnant women and the developing child. Heat, air pollution and water borne diseases impact early health. In addition, since nutrition is so critically important during the early years, conditions that affect food availability and quality such as drought and flooding, can have a profound impact on young children. Public awareness and media efforts that bring attention to these public health risks are essential. While the environmental risks to young children are daunting, early health and nutrition programs— including home visiting, feeding programs and the use of locally sourced farm produce and other efforts to assure access to good health and nutrition— are core components of nurturing care.

Early Care and Education

Early learning is also impacted by the environment, both in the community and in the homes and facilities that may house early childhood services. Early care and education programs can be affected by natural disasters: rivers overflow, heat makes it difficult to learn, access to preschool and childcare is too often disrupted. At the same time, early childhood programs are often on the front lines of disaster preparedness and response and support for families. In addition, quality care with a strong focus on social emotional development, helps build resilience. And early learning programs are the natural home for early environmental awareness, nature education and the promotion and modeling of eco-friendly practices.

Family social and economic support  

The well-being of families is threatened by climate change and environmental issues. Loss of jobs or homes due to natural disaster and environmental degradation can result in material hardship and emotional stress, both of which will impact family stability and parents’ overall ability to be responsive to the needs of their children. On the other hand, efforts to assure strong social and economic supports for families can help buffer the threat and realities of climate change. In addition, green jobs provide new avenues and opportunities for parents, which in the long term can have a positive economic impact. 

Safe and eco-friendly community environment

Environmental conditions can either negatively impact development or serve as a support for growth and nurturance. Similarly, the overall community climate—safety, adequate housing, the availability of parks and recreation facilities, and other aspects of the built environment— either put children at risk or serve as a support. When communities are dangerous, housing is in short supply, pollution levels are high, or water is contaminated, the stress on families and the risk to both children and parents undermines the quality of life for all. On the other hand, if the community conditions support a family’s well-being with good quality air and water, safe neighborhoods, and lots of opportunities to explore and play in nature, everyone is better able to thrive.

The early childhood field and climate policies are at a crossroads. We can move forward together by creating new partnerships between champions for young children and those supporting environmental justice and climate sustainability.

Photo by James Wheeler on Unsplash