Why and how to teach the SDGs in Early Childhood | Natalie Haas | TEDxDonauinsel

Summary

The speaker, a youth delegate to the United Nations for Austria, emphasizes the importance of integrating the Global Agenda for Sustainable Development into early childhood education. They advocate for teaching children about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from an early age, using pedagogical methods to engage them in understanding global issues. The talk encourages parents, politicians, and educators to be role models, incorporate SDGs into education, and empower children to become active global citizens, fostering a generation that grows up with a values system aligned with global goals.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker decided to pursue a career in education at 14, which later evolved into political science and international relations.
• 🔄 A natural progression from elementary pedagogy to political science was highlighted as a logical step for the speaker.
• 🌐 As a youth delegate to the UN for Austria, the speaker combines early childhood education with global politics.
• 📅 The Global Agenda for Sustainable Development by 2030 is a key focus, emphasizing the need for universal involvement to achieve these goals.
• 👶 Values and empathy begin to form in children as early as two to three years old, suggesting the importance of early education in shaping values.
• 🌱 The speaker advocates for including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in early childhood education to instill these values from a young age.
• 👨‍🏫 Pedagogy is described as the science and art of teaching, with a focus on empowering children to understand and shape the world.
• 📚 Teaching the SDGs to children involves simple questions about the world and their place in it, fostering curiosity and learning.
• 👪 Parents are encouraged to be role models, engaging their children in their actions and fostering their development of opinions and confidence.
• 🏛️ Politicians are urged to integrate the SDGs into national curricula to educate the next generation about sustainable development.
• 👩‍🏫 Educators are advised to teach children about their rights and dedicate sessions to the SDGs, helping them become knowledgeable and confident global citizens.

Q & A

At what age did the speaker decide to pursue a career in education?

The speaker decided to pursue a career in education at the age of 14.

What were the speaker's initial career aspirations?

Initially, the speaker aspired to have a career in the science of education in elementary pedagogy.

What sparked the speaker's interest in politics and international relations?

The speaker's interest in politics, international relations, and civic engagement grew while they were involved in various projects and initiatives during their educational path.

What is the speaker's current role in relation to the United Nations?

The speaker is currently serving as the youth delegate to the United Nations for Austria.

What is the global agenda the speaker is most familiar with?

The speaker is most familiar with the global agenda for sustainable development, which includes goals to be achieved by 2030.

Why does the speaker believe involving everyone is crucial for achieving the Global Agenda 2030?

The speaker believes involving everyone is crucial to create a world where everyone can live in dignity and to make the sustainable development goals a lived reality.

At what age does a child first develop roots of empathy according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, a child first develops roots of empathy between the ages of two and three.

How does the speaker suggest teaching the Global Agenda 2030 to young children?

The speaker suggests using the science of education pedagogy to plan and practice sessions in kindergarten dedicated to the SDGs, starting with simple questions and being role models through daily actions.

What is the speaker's advice for parents regarding the Global Agenda 2030?

The speaker advises parents to be role models, engage their children in their actions, and give them the chance to develop their own opinions and be self-confident drivers of change.

What is the speaker's message to pedagogues working with young children?

The speaker encourages pedagogues to teach children their rights, design and practice sessions dedicated to the SDGs, and help children become knowledgeable and confident about their potential to shape the world.

What is the speaker's hope for the TEDx talk's impact?

The speaker hopes the TEDx talk will have a snowball effect towards raising awareness and getting everyone involved, from early childhood, to achieve the UN's vision of a more peaceful, healthy, and equitable world.