Activity Introduction

hardy reef wwfQuick summary: This activity is designed to get children thinking about their favourite places in nature and how these places make them feel. Younger children will look at and talk about images of themselves enjoying their favourite places in nature. Older children will explore their relationships to the places they love in more depth, and begin to make the connection between their personal behaviours and the health of these special places by switching off lights and appliances for Earth Hour Schools Day.

earth-hour-160x160

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

 

Resources Required:

  • Appliance Flashcards
  • Printed photos of children in favourite places
  • Poster supplies: paper, colouring pencils and pens

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.

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

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

Natur

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