Creating sustainable and engaging learning environments

Karen Glancy, Early Childhood Pickers

“Children are miracles. Believing that every child is a miracle can transform the way we design for children’s care…. We make it our job to create, with reverence and gratitude, a space that is worthy of a miracle.”

Anita Rui Olds

Who are Early Childhood Pickers?

We are Early Childhood Educators and passionate treasure hunters. We source and sell upcycled, repurposed, hard to find and handmade treasures for early years learning environments

We provide professional learning sessions, handcraft workshops, new centre set ups, environment makeovers, personal shopping, advice and mentoring.

“It’s about making and doing not buying and consuming”

Kevin Mc Loud

The Importance of the Environment

We are all affected by our Environment.

Our physical surroundings affect how we feel, how

comfortable we are, how we relate to others, and

how successfully we accomplish what we set

out to do.

Where is your best place to be?

Greenman (1988) reminds us that the environment is more than the physical setting. That it includes

people, time, space, materials and the way these are utilised.

What makes a learning environment authentic?

What authentic elements do you have in your learning environment?

What improvements could be made?

Critical reflection.

Being busy and being engaged are not the same thing!

Belonging is people feeling welcome, having a place in our learning community, seeing themselves in our space….

Elements of beautiful, engaging learning environments

Use real and precious things

Design spaces in creative ways to

engage children in play.

Use fabrics, patterns and texturesto create interest and depth.

Create multi purpose spaces.

Be intentional in your placement and introduction of materials and resources.

Use materials that are flexible and can be used in many ways.

Extend children’s interests and learning in authentic ways

Be eclectic in your approach, combine natural materials, loose parts and re-purposed treasures with items you already have to create interest, texture and some magic.

“It’s about making and doing not buying and consuming” Kevin Mc Loud

We need to reflect, re-set, re-stock and re-engage children.

Sustainable procurement goals

Encourage the sustainable use of resources;

Reduce its impact on the environment (ecological footprint);

Eliminate unnecessary purchasing;

Reduce waste to landfill;

Improve environmental health;

Improve human health;

Support sustainable long-term markets for recyclable materials; and

Contribute to community progress towards sustainability.

What do you want?What do you really need?

The babies need a rug….What are the possibilities?

• Make it yourselves – rag rugs, finger knitting woven on to a hoop, knitted squares sewn together, patchwork denim etc

• Get one second hand

• Buy locally made – for example the floor doily opposite is hand crocheted

Sustainable resourcing

• Adapt what you already have

• Make your own resources

• Rescue, repurpose or upcycle

• Grow or harvest

• Reduce the amount of single use products you use

• Be a good role model

• Buy efficiently – buy it once!

• Buy lots of one thing – not lots of different things.

• Make sure the items you use are ‘fit for purpose.’

Buy local, ethical and sustainable resources

ASK:

• Where was this made?

• Who made it?

• What is it made from?

• How long do you expect it to last?

• When it is no longer useful can it be recycled, repurposed or composted?

Natural materials

• Should be sourced sustainably and ethically

• Should be local

• Should be chosen with respect for the natural environment

• Should be cherished

• Have enormous variety in colour, scent, texture and form

• TIP - Find out exactly what they are – what plant they come from

Loose parts

• Provide endless possibility and are able to be used in all learning areas in many different ways

• Repurposed or upcycled materials add sustainable loose parts to learning experiences

• Their value is in the many opportunities for discovery and their history makes them more valuable

Sustainable and authentic resourcing

• Make your own resources with and for children

• Grow and harvest

• Collect

• When collecting from the natural environment, consider the impact on the habitat

• Rescue

• Focus on materials that have more than one use where possible

• Create a sustainable procurement policy and use it!

Use materials in sustainable ways • Be a good role model – take care of your

space and the materials in it

• Don’t leave things out in the weather unless they are specifically designed to be there

• Be respectful of the items you have and use them carefully

• Maintain equipment – especially wood (clean, sand, stain etc)

• Repair rather than replace

• Buy well (locally made) items that are fit for purpose – they’ll last longer

• Buy more of one thing – not lots of little bits and pieces

• Source materials that can be used in many ways

www.earlychildhoodpickers.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/earlychildhoodpickers/

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com.au/KarenGlancyEC/

PH: 0409 905 858

EMAIL: Karen@earlychildhoodpickers.com.au