Activity Introduction
Quick 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.
In 2017, WWF is celebrating 10 years of Earth Hour and 10 years of progress on changing climate change. Our actions on climate change will shape the future for our children. They know more about climate change than any other generation. And they have extraordinary views on what they want for their planet. You and your children can become a part of the movement and start to take action on climate change by visiting earthhour.org.au to register for Lights Out or find your local event. Take part and register for Earth Hour Schools Day on Friday the 24th March and don’t forget to switch off on Earth Hour, on Saturday 25th March 8:30-9:30pm. Switch off to #JoinTheFuture.
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 Digital Library Clean Up Australia Day
- Cool Australia Digital Library Schools Tree Day
- Cool Australia Digital Library Nature of Mindfulness
- Cool Australia Digital Library Biodiversity
Cool Australia Presents … Biodiversity from Cool Australia on Vimeo: (https://vimeo.com/77933476)
Other resources:
- Video: ABC TV – Catalyst Program – Nature Play
- Video: Nature Play WA
- Video: Nature Play Department of Sport & Recreation WA
- Website: The Children and Nature Network
- Website: Kidsafe Victoria Road Safety Program and Resources
- Website: Daniel Morecombe Foundation
Cool Australia would like to acknowledge the support of the Seedlings Early Years Education for Sustainability (EYEfS) program.
Background information