Exploring Young Children's Awareness of Respect for Life in the Context of Marine Ecological Experience Activities

This study investigates young children's awareness of respect for life concerning the marine environment through the lens of marine ecological experience activities. Specifically, it qualitatively examines how empathy, respect, care, and environmental responsibility emerge during direct interactions with marine life among five-year-old children in a preschool near Seonchon Village, a Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE). The children experienced joy and happiness through encounters with marine organisms, formed emotional bonds with the marine environment, and recognized the value of ecosystems. Furthermore, marine ecological experience activities served as a catalyst for understanding and promoting the importance of environmental protection, such as reducing marine litter and conserving energy. This study highlights the educational value and potential of marine ecological experience activities during early childhood by fostering empathy for marine organisms affected by environmental pollution. It underscores the importance of nurturing sustainable behaviors from a young age and improving children's awareness of respect for life and environmental issues, ultimately contributing to broader goals such as carbon neutrality. Significantly, the findings suggest that early childhood, a critical period for developmental growth, is an opportune time to cultivate lifelong environmental consciousness and respect for the natural ecosystem through environmental education.