Story time in Cooma
Story time in Cooma
Landcare linking with Cooma kindergartens to learn about our local environment through stories.
Community Participation -
LEP23 - 014_LLC12_2
The issue
In our modern day world children are exposed to a mountain of information and it can detract from their natural curiosity about the natural world around them. Providing support to build on that curiosity is essential to help our next generation connect with their environment and grow people who care for our biodiversity.
The solution
Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare teamed with Wagtail Natives Nursery and the NSW Koala Strategy to provide two story time sessions for Cooma kindergarten children. National Eucalypt Day and International Koala Day were chosen to engage children with their natural surroundings. Gum trees are all around and offer sensory stimulation with the different barks type offering a range of tactile experiences and the eucalyptus oils giving that great smell. Meanwhile koalas are universally loved and a stuffed koala allowed an up close and personal experience for each child. Stories on each subject were followed up by a take home craft activity.
The impact
There was an obvious enthusiasm for both subjects and the sessions provided a space for the children to ask a range of questions to our experts. They listened and learnt while we talked about the different trees around us and explained some of the biology facts for koalas. The children were also fascinated by the story time books and loved the ice-cream eating koala! The craft activities also provided the children with a collage, colouring in and koala facemask to take home to talk with their family. The diversity of activities throughout these sessions provided the opportunity for each child to participate and learn in their own particular way. We hope that these sessions have encouraged the kindergartens to think a little more about the trees around them and look up now and then to see if they can find a koala.
Key facts
- Children have a natural curiosity and Landcare can help that lead to a long term love of biodiversity
- Everyone loves koalas!