This Open Access volume offers insights and examples of pedagogical approaches to early childhood sustainability within both school and community contexts in an effort to expand thinking and research around it in the U.S. A problem faced in approaches to early childhood sustainability practices is that a one-dimensional conceptualization, like environmentalism, has long been emphasized. This dominant approach has failed to show the interrelated realities of sustainability across local and global contexts and beyond human-centrism.

To address these limitations, this book advocates for an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach that contextualizes children's and adults’ roles in fostering multi-dimensional and inclusive sustainability practices. The content of the book will provide examples and provocations of how children and adults in early care and education spaces are deconstructing the dominant, one-dimensional model of sustainability and engaging in multidimensional and inclusive approaches where three tenets are connected. By sharing diverse examples, readers will gain a deeper understanding of how sustainability practices are enacted in early childhood spaces (Birth to Age 8), amplifying the innovative efforts carried out by adults and children. A particular focus is also on how adults foster children’s agency. Chapters will highlight pioneering, holistic work on sustainability in early learning spaces as a mechanism to generate dialogue that is vital to changing the dominant discourse in early childhood that upholds a one-dimensional approach to sustainability education. This book is intended to inspire change and encourage people of all ages to take climate action.

Lacey Peters is an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at Hunter College of the City University of New York.

Victoria Damjanovic is an Associate Professor & Chair, Teaching and Learning.

Janette Habashi is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Oklahoma, Department of Human Relations.

Ingrid Anderson is an associate professor of practice in Infant and Toddler Mental Health and Early Childhood Education.