Vincent M. Smith

Environmental Belief Formation in Children - a Tool for Environmental Education Improvement Vincent M. Smith

Environmental education is an important and widely used tool for dealing with environmental problems worldwide. Developing a citizenship that is aware of and knowledgeable about environmental problems, has the skills to address these problems, and is motivated to work toward this goal is essential to a sustainable future. However, research indicates that environmental education is not effective at altering environmental beliefs long-term. This book identifies and describes factors associated with the development and retention of environmentally responsible knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (or beliefs) in children. The research described here assesses the environmental beliefs of students before and after an environmental education program. Patterns, specifically those found in the home, associated with pro-environmental beliefs are then identified as tools for environmental education improvement both in the home and at environmental education institutions. Environmental educators, environmental advocates, and educational researchers will find the factors identified in this book important to the design of successful environmental education initiatives.