Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are made up of 17 global goals that were set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. As stated in the UN’s website, “The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice.”

Why incorporate SDGs in the preschool curriculum

By incorporating SDGs in the preschool curriculum, more people will be aware on how to contribute for a more sustainable future. The children are able to share what they have learned in school to their parents and other family members. For example, the children are able to tell their parents to limit the use of plastic by not using a plastic straw in their drinks. The children themselves encourage the people within their environment to do their part for a sustainable future.

Another reason is the children are able to imbibe what they have learned in class and make it as a part of their habit. For instance, there was this group of 6-year old children who refused to use straw while having their drinks because they remembered the news shared in class of the possible effects of plastic use to the environment.

Hence, integrating the SDGs in the preschool curriculum will have a long term benefit and a greater return in the future.

What are the 17 SDGs?

*Photos grabbed from the UN website.

How to integrate SDGs in the preschool curriculum

Now that you have an idea of what SDGs are, you might be thinking how to integrate these goals in your curriculum.

Firstly, identify one goal from the SDGs that your preschool children can relate to or the goal they are interested in. Make that as your topic.

Next, design learning activities for the topic you have chosen.

After that, implement the activities.

Lastly, let the children do some reflection about the topic through a simple drawing or writing.

Click here to see an example of incorporating SDGs in the preschool curriculum.