– by Barry Mathias –
Most people would agree that caring for the environment is one of the most important lessons for young children, and at the Sidney Preschool they believe it’s never too early to begin.
“I start them with beach cleanup,” says Scharie Greenwood, the Preschool’s ECE (Early Childhood Education) Manager, “and they begin to understand how wildlife is affected by garbage.” The children are all three or four years old, and can attend for two to four days a week. “Once a month the children visit a local beach, and the nature-focused program includes an hour or more spent outside every day.”
The school opened in 1972, but this new approach to preschool education was started in September of 2013. “I had no idea how successful the project would become,” Scharie says enthusiastically. The school encourages parents to take part in the “expeditions,” and to contribute to the resulting discussions and projects that naturally arise back in the classroom. From the simple activity of collecting and sorting the discarded rubbish they find on the beach, they begin to understand the problems the litter causes to the wildlife they see around them.
Before getting involved with ECE, Scharie ran a whale-watching company. “I was horrified by the amount of plastic waste that was floating in the ocean,” she says, “and I wanted to do something to help solve this problem.” Research clearly shows that the oceans are becoming gradually overwhelmed by man-made pollution that can take decades to break down, and is destroying the wildlife we value.
“Even when I walk my dog, I am aware of the enormous amount of rubbish in our parks and on our beaches. We like to think of Sidney as a clean, attractive town, but many adults do not appreciate the results of their actions.” Scharie makes the point that with the availability of modern recycling processes, there is no excuse for any adult to discard used packaging or containers, especially plastic.
These experiences are reinforced with visits to Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre’s Tot Tuesdays, where the children begin to realize the richness and diversity of the life in the ocean lapping on the beaches where they play. In the pristine tanks of the aquarium they see the colour and beauty of the marine life, and they want to preserve it. “They also bring their collected garbage to add to their garbage exhibit located inside the Discovery Centre. This is an important part of the program,” says Scharie. “By having the garbage displayed for all of the community to see, it is hoped it will inspire people of all ages to recycle.”
“These young children are very interested in the animals around them,” she adds. “They make art using the garbage they have collected, and contrast these with natural items collected during their outside nature program.” They are quick to understand the connection between garbage and creatures caught in plastic debris. Everyone is learning in this process, including the parents.
The children at the Sidney Preschool are joyfully involved with learning about the world they live in and the importance of recycling. By starting young, they will develop the right attitudes for life. “I am unaware of any other preschool that does this,” Scharie says. “But it’s definitely a good idea.”
