Environmental Thinking in the Early Years: understanding and misunderstanding of concepts related to waste management

This paper provides an overview and discussion of a study of young children's knowledge and understanding of the management of waste materials. It describes a semi‐structured interview and discussion methodology used to ascertain details of children's knowledge and misconceptions about this key environmental issue. Interviews described are with 4 and 6‐year‐old children. The paper presents examples of data recording and analysis, and raises important implications of findings for teachers of children in their first 3 years in school. The study described forms a part of a larger international research project which focuses on acquisition of environmental subject knowledge and development of concern for the environment.