Education for the environment and sustainable development is of great importance not only for today's society but also for future generations and has many positive effects on the overall development of children. Therefore, it is necessary to include it in the education of children from an early age. Environmental education considers nature and the child's natural rights and raises the question of whether a child's lack of exposure to nature can be considered a violation of his rights. The thesis discusses environmental education in preschool institutions, and the importance of children's interaction with nature and outdoor play. The importance of play is emphasized and it is shown how play affects the cognitive, physical, social and emotional development of children. The key contributions of being outdoors are presented, as well as the dangers of lack of regular contact with nature. It considers how to educate children in a way that is sustainable and cares for the environment. The importance and role of educators in environmental education is emphasized. Various ideas from the past are discussed, such as Rousseau's idea of natural education and forest schools. Several studies have analyzed the results of the elements that make up a good environment, and their findings have been reviewed and compared with the ideas of Rousseau. The diploma thesis tries to connect these ideas with the main points of education for the environment and sustainability, as well as to show the importance of nature in the development and education of a child. The thesis provides an overview of research into the connection between children and nature, and the influence of nature on the development and education of children. In addition, there are examples of good practice as well as numerous examples of activities that can be implemented in the daily work of educators. In order to better understand the relationship between nature and the upbringing and education of children, we must look at the positive effects of good upbringing on the creation of an ecologically positive environment.