Zoopedagogy as an opportunity for sustainability education in teacher and kindergarten education

Abstract

One of the most important tasks of teachers in our time is to instil in children an open, positive environmental attitude and culture and an eagerness to learn about the natural environment. It is through real-life experiences that the necessary skills, abilities and attitudes can be effectively developed. The pedagogy of sustainability is designed to make this possible. However, for sustainability education to be effective, close cooperation between teacher training institutions and key locations where the attitudes, skills and abilities of future teachers are developed and their methodological culture is grounded through a wide range of practical experiences is essential. The Department of Natural Sciences of the ELTE Faculty of Teacher Education and the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden have the prime responsibility for training professionals and educators who are able to develop a culture of sustainability and sustainable living in an experiential and playful way in out-of-school places of learning.