Environment
for kids
Environment for kids at Primary School EYFS, KS1 & KS2. Science homework help. Learn about the rubbish & recycling, the seasons, climate change and energy conservation.
Pick a level
A parent's guide to learning about the Environment in Primary School
Environmental education at primary level is woven through Science and Geography, particularly within the framework of the National Curriculum for England.
This guide explains what children are expected to learn about the environment at each stage of Primary School, from Year 1 through to Year 6.
Year 1 & 2 (Key Stage 1)
What your child will learn:
- Seasonal changes
- Weather patterns
- Caring for their local environment
- Basic recycling and waste awareness
Year 3 & 4 (Key Stage 2)
What your child will learn:
- Human impact on environments
- Renewable and non-renewable energy
- Waste, landfill and plastic pollution
- Conservation and energy saving
Year 5 & 6 (Key Stage 2)
- Types of pollution (air, water, soil)
- Climate change and the greenhouse effect
- Sustainability
- Carbon footprints
- Conservation and environmental solutions
The focus moves from simple observation to deeper understanding of cause, effect and responsibility.
Why learning about the Environment matters
Teaching children about the environment:
- Encourages responsibility
- Develops scientific understanding
- Builds awareness of global issues
- Promotes critical thinking
- Supports citizenship and values education
It also helps children feel empowered rather than anxious. Understanding problems alongside solutions is key.
Supporting your child
You do not need specialist knowledge to support environmental learning. Simple everyday actions are powerful teaching tools:
- Recycle together and discuss why
- Turn off lights and explain energy saving
- Walk instead of driving when possible
- Grow plants or herbs
- Reduce single-use plastics
- Discuss news stories in an age-appropriate way
Encourage children to ask:
- Where does this come from?
- Where does this go after we throw it away?
- Is there another way we could do this?
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