Assessment Task
Support Sustainable Practice
Introduction
Young children have always learnt the most from our actions, they have learnt from what we do, more than from what we say. It will therefore always be through sustainability of our own day to day practices that we are most influential to them.
For many early childhood educators this might be quite a challenge if the early childhood centre or service is only at the beginning of its journey towards sustainability, when few sustainable practices or systems are in place. Initially, small, but visible, collaborative steps that support sustainable practices will indicate this ethic in action.
(By Julie M. Davis-pg.164)
Research Task: Starting a garden-Vegetable garden
A small vegetable garden (approx.-4 sq. m) is started. A group of five children participated in this activity under the supervision of carer and room leader. Following steps followed to complete the task: 1. Preparing garden bed by mixing compost 2. Arranging and planting flowers and vegetables 3. Watering and caring for them
Main Considerations 1. Safety
To ensure the safety of the children the following steps were taken: * Use of gloves while working in the soil * Use of rubber gardening boots * Use of only plastic tools * Not to use any pesticide or insecticide * Being sun-smart * Activity done with age appropriate children (4+) 2. Creativity
Experience allows young children to be: * Creative-children develop new ideas to be environmental friendly and learnt something different to their daily activities. * Imaginative-children become imaginative and they started to imagine the whole picture of a developed garden. 3. Materials required * Plastic tools * Gloves * Plants * Compost * Rubber gardening boots

Benefits of environmental education in early childhood