Fleming College
IN-26: Innovation C

The Fleming College Early Childhood Education program in partnership with community environmental education organization, Camp Kawartha, created an innovative curriculum program, "Eco Mentoring Certificate" that is continuing to build momentum in sustainability, focused on childhood development. Students participate in 4 intensive workshops and learn about indigenous perspectives, nature-based programming and improvising with natural and recycled materials as learning tools, to reduce the excessive plastic and other toxic materials in children's worlds. Students who enroll in this optional program document their eco- mentorship experiences of applied learning with children while they are in their field practicums. Many beautiful opportunities emerge for both the learner and the children as they live out their curiosities and interests in the natural world with awareness, knowledge, and skills developed in this unique program. The Eco -Mentorship program positions sustainability and our relationship with the natural world as an essential focus for early childhood development. As a program, we are very committed to building capacity in pre-service educators to be instruments of change within our profession. Through environmental leadership at the post-secondary level, real change is possible and that is not only exciting but revolutionary. This innovation initiative embeds United Nation SDG goals of 4- Quality Education, 11- Sustainable Cities and Communities, 12- Responsible Consumption and Production, 13- Climate Action, 15- Life on Land and 17- Partnerships for the Goals.