The G Earth Program is about encouraging the future generation to connect and contribute to their world.

Sustainability is central to the Greenwood philosophy, and G Earth provides opportunities for children to gather knowledge about the natural world and how individual and collective actions can have an impact.

This Program is also about getting children to notice and reflect on their interactions with the physical world, while introducing them to the scientific method.

G Earth: Milestones

Nursery

• Pointing to indicate choice
• Awareness of belonging
• Holding own spoon
• Using the senses
• Touching & tasting to collect information
• Sharing the same experiences

Early Learners

• Making comparisons
• Drawing on known knowledge
• Sharing descriptive words
• Collecting information through the senses
• Identifying the properties of soft & hard
• Practicing trial and error
• Collecting and sorting items
• Playing with water and noticing the flow
• Awareness of living and non-living things
• Attributing own needs with those of animals
• Noticing the weather
• Using vocabulary to describe the major features of the Earth
• Observing simple life cycles (young and old)

Preschool

• Planning and implementing investigations
• Answering questions about what, when, why & how
• Increasing the ability to observe
• Improving the ability to record information & show representations
• Describing observations in detail
• Exploring the garden
• Contributing to sustainability
• Commenting on relationships and making generalisations
• Reflecting on own learning
• Sharing knowledge with others
• Tracking changes
• Identifying detailed characteristics
• Describing cause and effect
• Observing life cycles: e.g. chickens lay eggs and they hatch into chicks

How the G Earth Program is Implemented

Greenwood Educators create opportunities for children to learn, by establishing safe environments for children to observe with all of their senses, and providing a vocabulary for children to label and understand their observations. They create opportunities for surprise and discovery, while providing materials and experiences for children to gather knowledge about the natural and physical world.

Within the G Earth program, children are introduced to the scientific method, and they are encouraged to collaborate to find solutions to problems. After the activities are over, Educators encourage the children to reflect on what they’ve observed, gently providing a vocabulary with which they can label and describe their discoveries.

Activities vary depending on the age group, but the overarching aim of G Earth is to encourage children to experiment, observe and reflect.

Examples of G Earth Activities

Nursery

• Sensory play with autumn leaves
• Explore the garden
• Touch feely books about animals

Early Learners

• Plant plants in the garden
• Look after living chicken eggs
• Watch animals
• Read books about animals
• Care for the classroom
• Sing songs about the Earth
• Look at other countries on the map

Preschool

• Plant vegetables and using the produce for eating
• Look after living chicken eggs
• Explore life cycles
• Read stories about animals
• Recycle
• Talk about the world
• Make bird feeders

Greenwood Centres strive to operate sustainably – by using organic products wherever possible, and natural materials in our playrooms. Through the G Earth program, children are taught about the importance of preserving our natural environment through hands-on activities such as planting vegetable gardens and then incorporating the fresh produce into their lunches.

Cultural awareness is another important aspect of G Earth, with children being encouraged to talk about their cultural backgrounds. Additionally, children are introduced to different languages as well as being taught about Australia in the context of a global community.

Learn more about our gardening program in conjunction with My Square Metre!

Register your interest today and start the process to secure your child a place at Greenwood, click here to make an enrolment enquiry.