Activity Introduction

Quick summary: This activity is designed to encourage children to consider how they can save energy. Wearing appropriate clothing, managing cooling and heating systems, turning off lights can all save energy. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own comfort and wellbeing and notice how their needs change over time and throughout seasons. Older children will also be encouraged to explore what appliances use energy and how much.

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

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 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing

2. Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing

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

Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators

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

Equipment needed: You will need a child-safe thermometer; Power Mate or another device that measures power use by a particular appliance; blankets; torches or another battery-powered toy / light, rechargeable batteries and charger.

Supporting resources:

Other resources:

 

The team at Cool Australia continually reviews and refines our Early Learning resources in line with expert advice and current educational practices.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Background information

Content information for educators: Reducing energy use can make a significant contribution to reducing your environmental footprint, and the cost of running your centre or home. There are lots of ways children can be involved and feel empowered to make a difference. It’s great to change light bulbs to more efficient ones such as LEDs or Compact Fluorescents, or buy appliances that are energy efficient, but when you also use them efficiently you maximise their benefit.

Modelling behaviours such as turning lights off when you go outside, or using natural light rather than turning lights on; hanging out the washing on the clothes line; dressing appropriately for the weather; are all behaviours that will encourage children to do the same. It is important, particularly with younger children to narrate your behaviour so that they understand what you are doing and why.

You can provide opportunities for children to save energy by having energy monitors, tracking your

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