I don’t think the children will understand! A case study into teacher confidence in teaching education for sustainable development in the early years.

This research project aimed to investigate, teachers’ views and confidence around teaching Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the Early Years. The study also intended to investigate what factors influence teachers confidence and how it can be increased. Early Years teachers and specialists within a school were investigated, via questionnaires and interviews. The findings demonstrated that teachers held ESD in high regard. However, most teachers did not have sufficient confidence to teach ESD in the Early Years. The research also found that lack of confidence was predominately due to insufficient or a total absence of training. Furthermore, teachers felt the only way to gain sufficient confidence to teach ESD effectively is through training and professional development. The research concludes by highlighting the importance of training and continual professional development to equip teachers with sufficient confidence in teaching the specific field of sustainability in the Early Years and the important role schools have in supporting teachers in this development