A Sense of Wonder: Cultivating an Ecological Identity in Young Children—and in Ourselves

Environmental philosopher David Orr reminds us that ecological identity is “driven by a sense of wonder, the sheer delight in being alive in a mysterious, beautiful world.” The development of a sense of wonder toward and connection to the Earth is the particular task of early childhood. Our work as educators is to support children’s unfolding into place and the opening of their hearts to the Earth. During a year of daily outdoor explorations with a year-old child, I came to an understanding of cornerstone practices that cultivate a sense of wonder for and connection to place, and that give rise to ecological identity. This article examines those practices and locates them in the context of the necessity of ecological identity at this time of environmental calamity.