Children are naturally curious. They have so many questions about everything that they see around them. Where does rain come from? Why do leaves fall? What is recycling? What is environment? All these questions show their curiosity. The teachers and staff in a reputed Montessori preschool in Singapore take small steps to let children know about sustainability.
Teachers play a big role in helping children figure out many things about the environment. In preschools, sustainability is not included in long chapters where you only read and learn. Complicated explanations are not something that teachers cling to. Children get to know about various experiences related to sustainability via simple experiences. With Whistle Woods Schoolhouse, we don’t use heavy jargon and terms to make the young minds know about the need to protect the environment.
Learning to Care for Nature
Children are naturally fascinated by flowers, plants and insects. At our preschool near King Albert Park, teachers encourage preschoolers to observe natural things and other beings around them closely. Children get to know why sunlight and water are essential for growing plants. They understand that butterflies are attracted to flowers for pollen. The birds depend on trees for building their safe nests, and animals come close to different water bodies when they are thirsty.
Through sustainable activities for preschoolers that we plan for the little ones, children understand that nature is alive. Children genuinely connect and feel the need to love Nature.
The children go through experiences that help them understand sustainability, the eco-friendly uses of different products that go for waste, and they learn that food waste can go into compost to help plants grow. They learn it all from a very young age.
The Need to Reduce Waste
Young children notice so much during their daily routines. When teachers instruct them to use both sides of a paper sheet, turn off taps properly and place trash in the right bins, they develop good habits.
And they also learn important lessons along the way. They understand that natural resources are valuable and should not be wasted carelessly. This is one of the many reasons why choose nature-based preschool is an important question for parents who want meaningful early learning experiences. The more children practice these habits, the more they realise that these are not classroom lessons only. They carry the lessons into their homes and beyond.
Discovering How Recycling Works
Preschoolers are often taught how to keep things neat and clean. So, they develop this habit to sort and organise objects.
Teachers take cues and start explaining about recycling to the little ones. At a nature-based preschool in Singapore, children learn that there are simple things we use every day, and these should not go to waste. Teachers help them understand that we can reuse plastic, paper and other materials rather than throwing them away.
There are craft projects, sorting games and classroom discussions that make the eco-friendly lessons easy-to-grasp for the little ones. Children can understand the concepts easily and it lingers in their minds.
The Need to be Responsible for Everyday Actions
Sustainability doesn’t only talk about how you care for nature. Every move that you make in protecting the environment should be a responsible one.
In a preschool environment, children are encouraged to take care of school plants. They are requested to tidy up after activities. They are taught how to use materials thoughtfully.
Many eco-friendly activities for preschoolers are planned and included in the curriculum. Whether it comes to watering a plant or making a new object out of recycled materials – children know that they can make a difference in the society with their actions.
Understanding Environmental Challenges in Simple Ways
In a preschool environment, complex environmental issues are introduced gently and appropriately. Through stories and mixed group discussions, teachers may talk about littering, water conservation or protecting green spaces.
This helps build environmental awareness for preschoolers
Children learn the power of simple daily choices. They understand the importance of keeping the environment clean. They develop healthy habits and their actions have the word ‘responsibility’ at the core.
Sustainability is included subtly into everyday learning experiences at Whistle Woods Schoolhouse. As a trusted childcare near Bukit Timah, we develop in young minds the need for being eco-conscious. Children pick up eco-friendly habits through meaningful activities when they observe positive role models around them. Visit us now and see how we train young minds to care for the planet.