Category: Ecological Interdependence

• Key idea: Ecosystems are animals and plants in interaction with each other. –  e.g. identifying animals that eat other animals, and some that eat plants.

Emergent learning:

Food webs, and the water and carbon cycles are of critical importance to ecology and environmental sustainability.  Following our ‘emergent’ learning perspective, here again, our aim will not be to teach young children these cyclical theoretical models, but to give them the knowledge and experiences that will make them meaningful to them when they are introduced to the topics in school.  They can observe and learn about what different animals eat and most especially they can be directly involved in composting, and our adult support of a balanced and ecologically thriving soils.

‘Interdependence’ is one of most important ideas in sustainability education and we can support children’s understanding of this through continually stressing the enormous contribution that species that might otherwise considered quite humble, like the fabulous Earthworm, makes every day to the sustainability of our natural world. 

Activity recommendation:

‘Rotation’ is a cognitive scheme, and theme that is often observed to be a strong feature and of particular interest to young children in their free play.  Children’s attention is therefore easily drawn to the fascinating wheels and circles that abound in the natural and built world. 

Parachute play provides a fun opportunity to support collaboration and co-operation. The children need work together, they need to spread out around the chute and all participate for it to work. Parachutes suitable for use with babies and older preschoolers are available from most educational suppliers, and there are lots of ideas for developing the play online.
TES Free printable booklet

Other Book recommendations: