Study asks what children understand about a changing climate
The study will examine how children aged 0–5, their caregivers, and Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners across KwaZulu-Natal understand, experience, and respond to climate change, in response to growing evidence that its effects are felt most acutely by children in rural and under-resourced communities.
A new study aims to uncover how young children in South Africa comprehend climate change, addressing the lack of data on this topic. Led by Midlands Community College and in collaboration with Sesame Workshop International South Africa and funded by the Grindrod Family Centenary Trust, the research intends to close this knowledge gap.
The study, approved by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, will explore the understanding, experiences, and responses to climate change among children aged 0–5, their caregivers, and Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners across KwaZulu-Natal. The research period began in June 2026 and will conclude in February 2027.
South Africa has numerous climate policy commitments but lacks evidence on how climate change impacts the daily lives of its youngest citizens, such as disruptions to ECD attendance, caregiver strain, and unrecorded effects in national data. This study seeks to provide this baseline evidence and ensure children's experiences shape the country's response to climate change.
Researchers will examine how flooding, drought, and extreme heat affect young children and their caregivers, with findings expected to inform evidence-based climate-responsive early learning programs. The collaboration between Midlands Community College and Sesame Workshop International South Africa emphasizes the importance of including children as active agents in climate-responsive early learning.
The research will also delve into the physical health, emotional wellbeing, and access to safe learning environments of children affected by climate-related events.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
