JOURNAL REFLECTION

Today morning I took charge of doing early morning mat time, as I planned on
sharing information about recycling with children’s. I realised while planning
sustainability, love for our environment links perfectly well with teaching
children about recycling. I started the lesson by reading a book to children
about recycling called “recycling is fun”. I mentioned to children how recycling
meant to reuse things instead of throwing it away. We shared different ways
we can recycle things. This included such as redesigning clothes, giving toys to
charity and using both sides of paper. I shared with children some samples that
I recycled over the years. I also showed that before and after pictures so they
could see the change and how things can be reused again. A child mentioned
how his mummy has recycled his clothes by giving it to his brother. Another
child shared with them that today’s activity will be in the art and craft area
where we will paint and draw on recycle paper. I further talked about where
paper comes from= trees and how important it is for us to recycle paper as
many times as we can save more trees from being cut down.

This afternoon I started sticking magazines, newspaper and catalogues onto

the table with some sticking tape. Children asked me if that is the recycle table
and some just called it as newspaper table. They all got together in small
groups and got their hands painted in black and white paints and did some
interesting hand painting activity. However, some children used charcoal and
choose to trace on the big bold words written on the newspaper. It was
interesting to see how each child was using the resources and writing mediums
differently. To cater the needs and interest their own instead of just following
what others are doing. I also started working on classroom management goals
where I will only provide resources to children that would use good manners
by saying please and thank you. I realise how a little bit reinforcement led to
children beginning to use these words more often.

Today children gained so many skills and knowledge about recycling through
this activity. Children learnt how through recycling paper they are saving the
forest, money and contributing towards reducing pollution. This also helped in
enhancing children creativity as they used recycle paper and manipulated it
well using their imagination. As the activity encouraged collaboration which
resulted in development of social skills as well such as sharing resources,
thoughts and helping each other. I learnt today that such big environmental
topics need to be introduced to children in early years through fun and
engaging activities. As these children is our future and teaching useful ways to
reutilising resources will lead towards a healthy and better future.