Imaginarium Early Learning Sustainability

"If children are to keep this inborn sense of wonder alive, they need the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with them the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in”.  - Rachel Carson

Our educators understand that they are that “one adult”, tasked to nurture children’s innate sense of wonder and affinity by providing them with opportunities to engage in practical activities that: connect them with nature; enhance their understanding of the relationship between themselves and nature; and, develop a respect, even love, for the environment and its creatures.

Although they are born with a sense of wonder and an affinity with nature, with a natural curiosity and interest, have great imagination, and a special ability to see beauty and good all around them, our educators know they have a role to play to sustain these qualities.

As part of Imaginarium’s Sustainability Program, children and educators garden, compost and worm farm together. Educators ask children to describe the awesomeness of what they see, hear, feel, smell and touch away from the Centre. Sounds such as those of the surf, tastes such as watermelon, or the feel of a kitten’s soft fur. They show delight in any natural items (e.g. shell, interesting flower) that the children bring to the Centre.

The educators also intentionally teach children about the importance of reducing, reusing, recycling and repurposing, and remind them to turn off taps and lights. We repurpose different materials for some of our art and craft.

Some of the plants we have planted around our centre are to support the life cycle of endangered or threatened butterfly species native to the area.