Activity: Visy Education – What Is It Made From? – Early Learning

Quick summary: Children investigate the composition of objects. Younger children are invited to explore the composition of objects they are familiar with (such as toys, cushions and natural objects) by testing the size, weight, sound and feel of these objects. Older children are invited to look at a range of waste materials and are asked to investigate the composition of these objects, and where the materials that make these objects come from. They will then discover which bin these waste objects should go in.

This activity is designed to help connect children to the wonders of the natural world through sensory and play-based learning.

This activity has been developed in partnership with Visy. For over 70 years Visy has been committed to finding sustainable solutions for Australia’s recyclables and helping to reduce local landfills. Visy collects, receives and sorts paper, cardboard, glass, plastics, steel and aluminium from households, businesses and schools with the purpose of reusing these products in the re-manufacture of new packaging products.

EYLF Learning Outcome	Elaborations
Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world	4. Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment
Outcome 4: Children are involved and confident learners	1. Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity 4. Children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies, and natural and processed materials
Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators	1. Children interact verbally and non verbally with others for a range of purposes 3. Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media

Resources required:

Ages 0 to 2 

Collect a range of familiar objects made from different materials, such as:

• Plastic toys of different shapes and sizes
• Wooden blocks
• Metal toys (like cars)
• Fabric toys or objects (like cushions or towels)
• Natural materials (like sticks, bark, pebbles or sand).

Ages 3 to 5

Collect a range of recyclable materials (ensuring all objects are clean and cover any sharp edges with sticky tape or masking tape):

• Old paper and cardboard of different sizes, thicknesses and colours
• Plastic containers, bottles and bags of different sizes, thicknesses and colours
• Cans of different shapes and sizes, including old Milo cans and deodorant cans
• Aluminium foil
• Fabric scraps
• Natural objects, such as sticks, grass, leaves and pebbles.

Organise a set of What Is It Made From? Flashcards – Flashcards can be printed and cut in half, with questions glued to the back of the corresponding picture.

The information and statistics included in this document are approximate and have been simplified for educational/illustrative purposes. They should not be relied upon for any other purpose.