Activity Introduction

80 mile beach wwfQuick summary: These activities are designed to get children out and about, exploring their local environment, a local park, nearby nature or a wild space for Earth Hour Schools Day. Younger children will experience the outdoors through sensory and play-based learning. Older children will explore their local environment through role playing and gain a deeper understanding of their place and their connections to it.

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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.

For the most up to date Earth Hour dates, times, and events, check here.

EYLF Learning Outcome

Elaborations

Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity

2. Children develop their emerging autonomy, interdependence, resilience and sense of agency

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 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

5. Children use information and communication technologies to access information, investigate ideas and represent their thinking

 

Please note: This activity is designed to take place in a local park, bushland area or wild space (beach, forest, creek, or bush).

Resources Required:

  • Hats, water and snacks if you are taking children out of the centre for a long period of time.
  • A camera to take photos of the children in nature.

 Supporting resources:

Cool Australia Presents … Biodiversity from Cool Australia on Vimeo: (https://vimeo.com/77933476)

Other resources:

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

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

people swimming Gunlom Kakadu WWFBackground information

Content information for educators (also suitable for parents): Getting children outside and connecting with nature is important for our environment. They learn respect and care for all living things and nature play can assist children to understand the world around them. If our youngest learners understand and value nature then they are more likely to feel empowered and take action to protect it. Outdoor time is also vitally important for children's personal development. There is an emerging body of local and international research linking childhood contact with nature to a wide range of benefits in human health and well being. Children will develop fine and gross motor skills, social and emotional skills, risk assessment and critical thinking skills, and language and communication skills readily when active in nature.

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For more information read the Benefits of Connecting to Nature Factsheet.

Nature Play WA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vAulkMldMM)

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