Reduce, Reuse, Rethink: Growing Little Environmentalists at Redfern Cottage
Small Choices, Big Lessons
Sustainability might sound like a grown-up topic, but young children are wonderfully ready for it. They care deeply about animals, plants and fairness, and they love having a real job to do. When caring for the environment is part of everyday life, children grow up seeing it as normal rather than a chore.
At Redfern Cottage, sustainability learning is all about helping children feel capable and hopeful. The EYLF encourages children to show respect for the environment and become socially responsible, and we do that through hands-on experiences rather than worrying children with big problems.
Responsibility: Real jobs like sorting recycling help children feel trusted and useful.
Thinking skills: Deciding what can be reused or recycled builds problem-solving and reasoning.
Connection to nature: Talking about why we keep our world clean builds care for the outdoors.
Teamwork: Sustainability projects are something children do together, sharing ideas and effort.
Lifelong habits: Attitudes formed in the early years often stay with children for life.
Clean Up the World in Preschool 4-5
Our Preschool 4-5 children recently explored caring for our environment through the theme of Clean Up the World and recycling. They discussed why it is important to keep our environment clean and how we can reduce waste by reusing and recycling materials.
The children explored different recyclable items and took part in activities that encouraged them to think about how their everyday choices can help protect the environment. These experiences built a strong sense of responsibility and a growing awareness of sustainability, and the children were proud to share what they had learnt with their families.
Junior Preschool Learns to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Our Junior Preschool children have explored sustainability too, thinking about recycling, reusing materials and reducing waste. They enjoyed sharing their ideas and discovering that even small actions can help look after our planet.
Hearing young children explain, in their own words, why we should not waste things is one of the most rewarding parts of this learning. It shows that the ideas are not just being heard, but understood.
Building, Creating and Thinking Differently
Sustainability connects naturally with other learning. When our Preschool 3-4 children became builders and problem-solvers during their Construction and Building theme, they designed, tested and improved their own structures, thinking about how to make them stronger, taller or more stable. This kind of hands-on STEM thinking, asking "how could this work better?", is the same mindset children use when they imagine new uses for old materials.
Our educators encourage children to see possibilities in everyday objects, reuse paper and resources wherever possible, and treat the outdoor environment with care. Children notice these habits, and many begin reminding the adults around them to do the same.
Spring has given children plenty of chances to notice nature changing too. Across our rooms, children explored flowers, colours and seasonal changes, which naturally leads to conversations about why plants, animals and clean outdoor spaces matter. Caring for the environment feels far more meaningful when children have had the chance to enjoy it first.
Easy Eco Habits for Families
Give your child the job of sorting recycling at home.
Save boxes, tubes and bottle lids for a building or craft afternoon.
Plant a few seeds in a pot and let your child care for them.
Take a bag on your next walk to the park and pick up litter together (with gloves).
Talk about turning off taps and lights, and let your child be the family "reminder".
Caring for the World They Will Grow Up In
When children learn to reduce, reuse and recycle, they are building habits and values that will shape the adults they become. To see how sustainability is part of everyday learning at Redfern Cottage in Minto, get in touch with our team and book a tour.
