Children at The Prince Charles Hospital Early Education Centre, part of Queensland Childcare Services (QCCS), are taking learning to the shores to celebrate International Coastal Cleanup Day.
The Beach Kindy program marries play with environmental education, encouraging young learners to engage with nature while cleaning up Decker Park beach.
Engaging Early Learning
Beach Kindy at Prince Charles offers a dynamic learning environment where children are encouraged to use nature’s resources to initiate learning and explore their surroundings.
This initiative promotes physical, social, and cognitive growth through structured play and environmental interaction and aligns with the goals of International Coastal Cleanup Day on 21 September by instilling a sense of environmental stewardship among participants.
The Beach Kindy program provides manifold benefits. It equips children with an understanding of conservation and a lifelong appreciation for the natural world, integrating activities such as shell collecting, observing local wildlife, and exploring tidal ecosystems.
These activities foster a love for the outdoors and enhance critical thinking and creativity. Research indicates that engaging in nature play reduces stress, bolsters the immune system, and improves emotional well-being.
Building Community and Awareness
The vital aspect of Beach Kindy is its community involvement. Engaging in activities that are connected to a worldwide occasion, such as International Coastal Cleanup Day, helps children understand the value of working together and taking responsibility for the environment. This initiative fosters a sense of community among the young learners and guarantees that they develop the ability to have positive interactions with their peers and teachers in a nurturing outdoor environment.
Looking ahead, The Prince Charles Hospital Early Education Centre continues to enrich their nature-based learning with their well-established Bush Kindy program, which runs fortnightly. This initiative, already a key component of their curriculum, provides up to three hours of uninterrupted play in natural bush settings, offering diverse learning opportunities essential for healthy development.
The centre has created a calendar to alternate between Bush Kindy and Beach Kindy bi-monthly, ensuring all children benefit from and are exposed to these innovative outdoor education programs.
Published 9-Sept-2024
