WAVE THE ECO FLAG

Outdoor learning experiences are now high on the agenda of every playgroup, nursery and school

Every Child Matters is a government initiative to ensure the wellbeing of children. With five major components, be healthy, stay safe, achieve economic well–being, enjoy and achieve and make a positive contribution. Outdoor learning experiences are now high on the agenda of every playgroup, nursery and school.

Supported by the Sustainable Development Commission in their recent reprint ‘Every Child’s Future Matters’, educators are charged with encouraging outdoor discovery and actively promoting alternatives to indoor sedentary pursuits. They realised that knowledge of the natural world was being lost and have urged adults to nurture an appreciation of our surroundings whilst campaigning for greater pedestrian access to green spaces.

Parents can help by sharing the excitement of young people who are out to save the world and really believe they can!

Many children will be involved in the Eco–Schools international award programme for promoting environmental awareness in schools involving pupil participation in decision – making, planning and activities.

It rewards schools that demonstrate commitment to these initiatives initially by accreditation with certificates and then by the coveted ‘Green Flag’ award to symbolise their environmental achievement.

Children in schools all over the country are making bird boxes, growing and cooking their own vegetables, recording how much energy they use in their homes and are also getting involved in healthy eating.

There is no end to the inventive ideas that they have for re–using and recycling.  In one small school, there were over 160 ingenious ideas from cutting up washing–up gloves to make elastic bands, to using skins of used lemons for lemonade. Waste Action Teams deliver exciting workshops which help the children make dreams into reality and parents can help too, by listening and encouraging, getting involved and sharing the excitement of young people who
are out to save the world and really believe they can. Throw away your cynical thoughts and learn something yourself!

LINKS

www.eco-schools.org.uk
www.wiltshirewildlife.org