Author: Betty Yau
Principal, Fairchild Nursery and Kindergarten
Today we are all more conscious of our impact on the world – how do we ensure the efficient use of resources for the future of our children? As the United Nations promotes the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for a better future by 2030, there are ways in which we can promote sustainability in play for children.
In pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal #4 – Quality Education, we can also support Sustainable Development Goal #11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities Sustainable Development Goal #12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, as well as Sustainable Development Goal #17 – Partnership for the Goals through recycling of materials at home or school to support loose parts play for children, a win-win opportunity towards creating a learning environment which encourages sustainability.
After every shop visit or delivery received, there is packaging of some kind that we can give a new purpose to. Paper carrier bags, used coffee cups, egg cartons, bubble wrap, old envelopes, plastic fruit and vegetables containers and cardboard packing boxes, all offer a range of interesting materials, which children will just love to use to build, or to make into completely new items.
An environment at home or school which encourages children to respect resources and materials in the context of learning about the 3Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle, will support children’s awareness of responsible useable and build their sense of understanding of their own values and how these fit in with being a responsible citizen, developing their sense of wonder for the environment, empathy and taking ownership of their own actions and ideas.
The role of loose parts in this sustainability journey applies to how loose parts can be recycled, repurposed and upcycled. Natural loose parts such as pine cones, or stones will help children make more connections to nature, thereby increasing their knowledge of the world around them. A used paper tissue box can have the addition of a paper tube and elastic bands to form a guitar, thereby developing a child’s musical and artistic skills. When children are provided with autonomy to explore and engage with loose parts, they can invent their own purposes for the materials, all the while developing their divergent thinking, sense of wonder and collaboration with peers as they test ideas and solve problems as they create their own project.
Create an area for the collection of recycled materials at home or in the classroom, to encourage children to think about the practices of reusing or reducing waste materials. If the number of items builds up over time, this also provides the opportunity to sort the items (a maths concept) and take them to local neighborhood recycling centers, and role modeling sustainable values.
Within Reggio Emilia, Italy and established in 1996, there is a creative recycling center in the community, known as Remida. This is a cultural project which hones in on sustainability, creativity, and research on waste materials. The project aims to foster the concepts that waste materials and the imperfect, are holders of an ethical message, able to stir reflections, and aim to be an educational resource, to avoid the definition of “useless” and “waste”. Materials can be given a new purpose and lease of life. Could this be an idea we also build on in our setting of Hong Kong? For sure, educators and families would welcome having a place where they could access waste materials for creative loose parts play, and create new uses for recycled materials. The possibilities would be endless and an excellent way to encourage children to learn about the importance of recycling, as well as being empowered toward supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.
