Activity: Earth Hour – Light – Early Learning

Quick summary: This activity has been developed to give children the opportunity to learn more about light and energy. Children look at light by playing with and talking about torches.

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 created in partnership with WWF-Australia. Earth Hour is the world’s largest community-driven climate change campaign. At the centre of Earth Hour is switching off lights to show a commitment to taking action. Thousands of educators use Earth Hour’s education program to enrich their curriculum and provide pathways for young people to create change in their world.

Join the program and take part in Earth Hour Schools Day on Friday the 27th March 2020. You can also involve family and friends in Earth Hour on Saturday 28th March 2020 8:30-9:30pm.

 

EYLF Learning Outcome	Elaborations
Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world	3. 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 2. Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, enquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating 3. Children transfer and adapt what they have learned from one context to another 4. Children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies and natural and processed materials

Equipment needed: Torches, paper, fabric, cushion, room that can be dimmed with curtains or blinds, wind-up solar torch (optional), Energy Flashcards (ages 3–5).

Supporting resources:

• Energy Flashcards
• Climate Kids – NASA

Collect items and images that are associated with the theme of light to use as conversation starters.

Other resources:

• Cool Australia Energy Toolbox
• Energy Factsheet
• Cool Australia Energy video (below)

Cool Australia Presents Energy on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/74926420)

Cool Australia would like to acknowledge the support of the Seedlings Early Years Education for Sustainability (EYEfS)  program.