Climate Awareness for All: Belarus Releases Educational Guidelines for Preschoolers and Children with Special Needs
January 24, 2025

Belarus is placing a strong emphasis on environmental education for children and youth to address the challenges of brought by the climate crisis. Cultivating a generation that identifies as part of nature and treats the environment with care is key for building a sustainable future.
A prime example of systematic efforts in this area is the Green Schools network, established with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Belarus. Now, it encompasses over 700 educational institutions all over the country, committed to supporting their students' climate action.
These initiatives embody the concept of lifelong learning about climate change, integrated into all stages of education - from preschool all the way to university. This way, children are introduced to basic environmental concepts and taught to interact with their environment from an early age, building essential skills to make informed decisions as adults.

In 2024, with UNDP's support, Belarus released two new guidelines for educators introducing preschoolers and children with special educational needs to climate change.
These publications represent a significant step forward in climate education within the country. They not only provide essential theoretical knowledge but also foster an inclusive environment where every child, regardless of age or learning needs, can access high-quality education.
Fostering Environmental Awareness from an Early Age
At preschool, when a child's personality and initial understanding of the world are being shaped, it is especially important to instill the foundations of caring for nature. The new guide for preschoolers introduces the concepts of climate change mainly through practical experience. The methodological tools for educators include lesson outlines, experiments, study trips, event plans, and activities for environmental clubs.

The curriculum prioritizes games to make learning both engaging and accessible. For instance, activities like Clear the Planet of Waste teach resource efficiency while demonstrating the impact of individual actions on the environment.
Hands-on experiments with water, soil, and plants help children grasp the complex natural phenomena, while initiatives like Earth Hour encourage collaboration and teamwork in climate action. Creative tasks and thoughtful discussions further cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for the future.

Climate action for all: Including children with special needs

The climate guide for children with special educational needs is designed to meet the individual requirements of learners with severe speech impairments, hearing and vision challenges, developmental delays, or motor disabilities.
The learning methods are centered on children's personal experience, teaching them to observe seasonal changes in nature, identify weather patterns, and relate them to everyday situations. Special emphasis is placed on developing observational and inquiry skills, as well as expanding vocabulary.
The educational content is carefully adapted: complex topics are simplified, the material volume is reduced, and the pace of learning can be tailored to each child's needs. Lessons are delivered in an emotionally positive and engaging way, motivating children to actively participate. Through games, children learn safe behaviour in nature, waste separation, and resource efficiency.
These tailored methods help children with special not only grasp basic ecological concepts but also support their social adaptation and confidence in interacting with the society.
Climate awareness for a sustainable future
The new guidelines are set to become invaluable tools for educators, enabling them to explain even the most complex concepts in a simple and engaging way. Human interaction with nature is a continuous process that lasts throughout life. Likewise, learning about nature and climate should become an integral part of education, empowering all people to take action against climate change and effectively adapt to its consequences.