Practical ways to involve children in sustainability during the early years

The curious children at Green Leaves Early Learning Wendouree have been steadily expanding their understanding of sustainability, and how we can incorporate it into our day-to-day activities. Most of all, we focus on guiding the children in a way that’s fun and appropriate for their age. In this instance, we’ve chosen our outdoor environment as a place to begin.

Recently, our Sustainability Officer, and Cultural Inclusion Officer have been collaborating on a very special project. Through their collaboration, a selection of Indigenous fruiting plants and herbs have been introduced to our edible garden. Guided by their knowledge, the children have been learning about the different varieties of plants, charting their growth, having discussions about how they’re used once they’re fully grown, and how to care for them respectfully and responsibly.

Currently the children have been tending to their Blue Brush Cherry plant (Syzygium oleosum) which is from the Lilly Pilly family, Wild Rosella (Hibiscus sabdariffa), and Pigface (Carpobrotus glaucescens) which will feature pops of delightful pink flowers once established. The children have been keeping a close eye on their new flora.

Learning about the importance of sustainability allows children to expand on their knowledge, values, gain motivation for positive change, and learn to maintain their own wellbeing through respect for themselves, and their environment.

At Green Leaves, we are committed to providing a learning environment that is unique, purposeful, and most of all, one that will ignite curiosity in children to expand on their interests.

In their day-to-day activities, children are encouraged to learn about their natural world while tending to their edible gardens and composting, recycling, and through the discovery of ecological systems. They also begin to learn how so many things in our natural environment are inter-connected.

Our Sustainability Officer, and Cultural Inclusion Officer have started a road map of ideas to guide the children’s learning throughout the year. The children are currently taking part in yarning circles while sitting on their recycled wooden logs, enjoying the outdoor environment.

At Green Leaves Wendouree, we’re excited about the continual evolution of our learning environments, and we look forward to sharing them with everyone.