Ecotheology Based Character Education for Environmental Awareness in Islamic Private Kindergartens of Lut Tawar District

Abstract

This study explores the implementation of ecotheology-based character education aimed at cultivating environmental awareness among early childhood learners in Islamic private kindergartens in the Lut Tawar District. The research is grounded in the premise that ecological crises are not merely environmental but also moral and spiritual in nature. Thus, integrating ecotheological values into early education is essential for shaping a caring and responsible attitude toward the environment. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through interviews, classroom observations, and documentation involving teachers, principals, and students. The findings indicate that environmental care character can be effectively nurtured through religious-based activities, such as storytelling about nature in the Qur’anic context, collective environmental practices (e.g., planting trees, waste sorting), and the inclusion of ecological values in daily prayers and moral lessons. Teachers play a pivotal role as role models who connect faith-based teachings with ecological responsibility. The study concludes that ecotheology provides a holistic educational framework that harmonizes spiritual, moral, and ecological dimensions of learning in Islamic early childhood education. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of institutional support, teacher competence, and community participation in sustaining these values. The results are expected to contribute to the development of sustainable and value-oriented environmental education models in faith-based educational settings.