A three-workshop series that reconnects children aged 4-12 with nature through hands-on activities including composting, urban gardening, and water flow, fostering environmental awareness and sustainable living practices.
"Welcome to Sustainability for Children! We believe that reconnecting children with nature is fundamental and urgent, so we created a series of workshops for this purpose. We propose practical experiences that will raise children's awareness of their relationship with the earth, plants and water, and we want to support you in guiding this transformation! And there? Let's co-create new world possibilities together that value childhood and nature?" - Camila Sawaia – Pedagogical Director of CoCriança
Five hours per week for three consecutive weeks.
Assemble Your Team
Begin by recruiting three facilitators to ensure proper support during workshops - this ratio allows for effective listening and guidance with up to 24 children. Define clear roles and responsibilities for each team member, whether one person leads whilst others support, or all three share leadership equally.
Simultaneously, identify and gather your group of children who will participate in all three workshops. This could be neighbourhood children, a school class, or building residents. Consistency is crucial - the same children should attend all sessions to build upon previous learning and maintain engagement throughout the journey.
Choose Workshop Spaces
Work with your group of children to select appropriate spaces for the compost bin and urban garden - you'll need an area roughly the size of a stove. Including children in this decision-making process is essential as it guarantees greater engagement, ownership, and validates their voices and opinions from the start.
Consider factors like sunlight, water access, and safety when making selections. The space should be easily accessible for ongoing maintenance and allow children to observe changes over time in their composting and growing projects.
Attend Preparation Meetings
Participate in weekly online follow-up meetings with the CoCriança team before each workshop. These synchronous sessions involve only the facilitator team, not the children. During these meetings, you'll review workshop itineraries and materials, ask questions, and make necessary adjustments for your specific group.
The CoCriança team will provide valuable tips and work through important concepts related to each workshop theme, ensuring you feel confident and prepared to deliver engaging, educational experiences.
Prepare the workshop
After each follow-up meeting, organise your upcoming workshop by gathering or purchasing necessary materials listed in the provided itineraries. Take time to deepen your understanding of topics you consider important, arrange the workshop space appropriately, and re-read the script to ensure smooth delivery.
This preparation phase is essential for workshops to flow naturally with children. Consider the specific needs and interests of your group when preparing, and have backup activities ready in case timing varies from expectations..
Facilitate the Workshops
Deliver each two-hour workshop with complete openness to listen to what children bring to the experience, helping them connect meaningfully with nature. The cycle of meeting-preparation-workshop repeats three times over three consecutive weeks, covering composting, urban gardening, and water flow respectively.
Remember to enjoy, play, and have fun with the children whilst maintaining focus on learning objectives. Watch for developments and ideas that children generate - these could inspire additional nature-reconnection activities beyond the initial three workshops, creating endless possibilities for continued environmental engagement.
