Every state is desirous of quality and meaningful development where empowerment, emancipation and liberation of the citizens is key. Achieving and enjoying a state where empowerment, emancipation and liberation of the citizens are norms can only be possible through education especially one that is provided to citizens in their early childhood days and in an atmosphere where the fundamental human rights of the citizens and the citizens’ pursuit of other socio-moral and socio-political ideals are guaranteed. An educational provision that promises the Nigerian society such value-laden ideals is one that is deep-rooted in social justice and human rights. Using the philosophical method, this paper focuses on the pedagogy for promoting social justice and human rights among early learners in Nigeria. The study is strongly anchored on the position that early and sound foundations of Nigerian learners on issues that border on social justice and human rights (individual welfare, public welfare or national interests) have potentials to challenge learners into indulging in abstract, creative and critical thinking that revolve around human welfare and the welfare of the state. The study concludes by raising pedagogical signposts through which the ideals of social justice and human rights can be inculcated in early childhood learners in Nigeria.
Keywords: Early Childhood Education, Empowerment, Human Rights, Pedagogy, Social Justice, early childhood learners
