Learning about the value of trees seems to be the place to start in Early Childhood. Connection, understanding, wonder and awe all come from the children while interacting with wood in natural wooded spaces. From here the learning becomes every day, part of how they move in the world and shows in their understanding, value and respect for trees.
As they work with the wood they ask a wide variety of questions: “ Was this piece of wood a tree?” - “yes it is made from Douglas Fir just like the tree that is growing right here in the woods, "Is this table made from a tree?” - “yes, so are the chairs, shelves and toys we use at Playschool.” “What else can we make from trees?” - “Paper is made from trees and we could make that one day too”. They also commented on a variety of things they noticed with their senses, like their sense of smell “this smells like Pine” and their sense of touch “this wood is hard like Oak” and their sense of sight when we would stop to count the rings of the trees “this tree is as old as my Mom”.
As we read stories and told stories about trees the children ask more questions and built more understanding. They begin to show their value and understanding - not to dig around a tree's roots, the trees are sleeping when their leaves have fallen, how they felt cool in the shade of the tree, that bird is making a home in the tree, this lichen is like a tree flower…being in it, interacting in it builds knowledge, love and respect.
And then we took their creations to the community by displaying them at a local cafe for one month. Everyone is fascinated with the free organic shapes and ideas the children brought. The parents hear the children share what they made and the type of wood they made it with.
And then we added in one more layer by providing postcards that families and others in the community could send to ask the Minister of Forests to respect and protect Old Growth Trees. Involving the adults who have been touched and inspired by the project then gives them a role in caring and protecting that which the children hold so dear. They can extend the children's gratitude and respect for these giving beings through action.
Parents for Climate would like to thank For Our Kids, the trees, woodworker Darren Bertuccio, the children, parents and educators at Tree of Life Nature Playschool, The Spiral Cafe and the Lewungen People who’s land we live and play on every day, for helping make this project possible.
Want to take action to protect old growth forest? Here's what you can do!
Written by Kate Lawes, volunteer parent organizer with Parents 4 Climate (Victoria).
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