Early environmental education in the human epoch – from learning about the world to learning and becoming with the world

Implications of human-induced phenomena that include global warming and the drastic reduction of biodiversity adversely affect the entire biosphere, putting the existence of humans and non-human beings at risk. Shifting away from considering humans to be the centre of the world and viewing them as one of many equal elements that comprise that world is seen as the remedy for the resulting state of affairs. Education is believed to play a significant role in transforming the way people think about themselves and their position in the world. In view of the thesis presented above, the aim of this article is to demonstrate the changes occurring in the theory and practice of early environmental education, representing a specific response of its creators to the challenges of the human age. From a theoretical viewpoint, these changes involve a shift beyond ideas of anthropocentrism and turn to theories that show the world as a complex human-post-human community. At a practical level, this takes the form of what is referred to as a common worlds pedagogy. The author’s thesis is that practising a common worlds pedagogy enables children not only to learn about the world but also to learn and become with the world.