Aussie Childcare Network Forum

hi ,
im stuck with this question if anyone can help me please ?
question :
Using the ‘experiencing’ approach to the children’s environment, list three natural materials and three recycled materials that you could add to the indoor or outdoor environment and describe how the addition of the materials you have selected will support the child’s understanding and respect for the natural environment.
Natural Materials:
How the materials support respect for the natural environment :
Recycled materials:
How the materials support respect for the natural environment:

i just wrote the natural materials such as Rock Art , Leaf rubbings , Sea shells
and recycled materials such as Bottles , Yogurt containers , Tissue box
but i don't know how those materials support respect for the national environment.
thank you .

Hi,

Natural materials:

Compost matter / How it supports respect for the natural environment:

Using food scraps for compost. Showing the children that certain food scraps such as vegetables or fruit skins etc. can be used for compost. Showing the children the worms or insects living in the compost matter and the importance of them in the soil. Using the compost mulch for gardening purposes and how it helps the plants grow.


Seedlings and plants/ How it supports respect for the natural environment:

Not touching the plants so that they can grow, making sure they are watered daily, taking care of the plants and looking after them.


Water/ How it supports respect for the natural environment:

If there is a water tank at the centre, the children can get involved in watering the plants. Water is not wasted and important to save for our future.




Recycled materials:


Plastic bottles/ How it supports respect for the natural environment:

Showing the children where the plastic bottles go and why they go there. They are to be recycled so that new products can be made by them and this helps our environment.



Cardboard and paper / How it supports respect for the natural environment:

Cardboard and paper can be used for arts and crafts, the children can also be shown where cardboard or paper that is no longer required goes to be recycled. The children can be told that paper comes from trees and get involved in planting trees and watching them grow. We recycle cardboard and paper so that new products are made by them and that less trees are cut down which helps our environment, as trees are very important for our environment.


Glass or aluminium / How it supports respect for the natural environment:

Showing the children where these items go and placing them into the different coloured bins. Glass and aluminium should also be recycled so that new products can be made from them.





I hope that this has helped you

thank you so much for your help xxo

You're welcome