ABSTRACT
Lifelong learning begins in early childhood education (ECE). This chapter highlights the importance of learning about weather and climate during the early years. The concepts of weather and climate can be introduced to children through play and their interactions with the environment in child-initiated and adult-initiated capacities. In this chapter, the authors present principles of ECE with specific reference to Aistear, the early years framework adopted in Ireland. The authors identify some practical examples to address these core concepts with young children, e.g., promoting language related to nature, introducing concept of global citizenship, promoting agency, utilising the outdoor environment, planning activities for young children and working with a range of children's picture books. This chapter illustrates how inquiry-based learning, using various playful, relevant and meaningful learning experiences, nurtures positive dispositions towards learning about the weather and climate in the early years.
