Environmental Education in Primary Schools

Environmental education is important in developing a population that is environmentally conscious and a community that is sustainable.  Nature deficit disorder, as coined by Richard Louv in 2005, points out the many benefits that nature can bring to people that young children are missing out on by not being exposed to nature. Louv postulates that kids who do play outside are less likely to get sick, to be stressed or become aggressive, and are more adaptable to life’s unpredictable turns.

 

As such, environmental education plays a very important role in children’s development and to cultivate a culture of caring for the environment, which will aid in the success of future environmental policies. Hence, environmental education is integral part of a holistic education of a child and should be incorporated into the formal primary school curriculum in Singapore.