“It’s our polite nudge in the ribs to help you and your team stay organised and on task.”
This week’s subject is: Natural elements
Element 3.2.3: The service cares for the environment and supports children to become environmentally responsible.
Does your service provide a range of natural resources to support children’s learning and promote awareness about sustainability?
Where possible, services should seek out resources that are made of natural fibres rather than plastics and other synthetic materials. Providing children with natural materials in the learning environment stimulates their senses, supports children to explore, problem solve, be creative and innovative in their play.
Natural elements that have been extracted from the natural environment must be safe and age appropriate. Ensure that the materials selected do not pose any risk to children i.e., chocking hazards and sharp objects and ensure children regularly wash their hands.
A wide range of natural elements can be incorporated into the educational program for both indoor and outdoor, structured and non-structured experiences. Involve children in the collection of natural materials, encourage questioning and discussion about what’s being collected and the range of possibilities for their use to spark curiosity and support children’s evolving environmental awareness.
Natural elements to incorporate in the indoor and outdoor learning environments:
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- Sand, dirt and mud
- Twigs, sticks and branches of different sizes, shapes and colours
- A variety of flowers of differing sizes, shapes, colours and scents
- Seashells of varying shapes and colours
- A variety of different coloured leaves
- Different coloured/shades of bark
- A variety of pebbles and stones with varying textures, colours, shapes and sizes
- Grass of varying shades
- Selection of pinecones in varying shapes, textures and sizes
Promote the use of natural elements with families by showcasing children’s creations and sharing learning stories about planned and unplanned experiences involving natural elements. Provide families with information and resources to encourage outdoor play and exploration of the natural environment at home and outside of the Service.
Resources:
Environmental Education in Early Childhood
Early Learning Nature Play Experiences (for infants and toddlers)
Learning and playing with: Sticks, Dirt, Leaves, Pebbles
Resources for families:
10 things to do to have fun in the backyard
10 ways to nature play from a balcony
Nature play ideas and activities in your backyard
Within System7 go to Quality Area 3/Module 11 to submit self-assessment notes and if required, open a QIP issue if you identify any areas of improvement.
The Childcare Centre Desktop has a range of resources to assist services with being environmental responsible. These include Sustainability Commitment Statement, Sustainability Audit, Outdoor Environment and Playground Safety Audit, Environmentally Responsible Policy, Environmental and Sustainability Officer Position Description and much more.
Resources, NQS Element, Regulation and System7 links:
Childcare Centre Desktop – Childcare Centre Desktop
National Quality Standard – QA 3/ 3.2.3- Environmentally responsible
National Regulations – 73, 110
System7 Module – QA 3/ Module 11
If you have any questions send us a note via the Contact page here!
