Early childhood educators form native wildlife connections
Fifteen early childhood teachers got up close to learn about the yellow crowned kākāriki, giant wētā/wētāpunga and Marlborough green gecko at the Koru Wildlife Centre in Grovetown.
The teachers attended as part of an environmental education support programme for Early Childhood Centres (ECE) in Marlborough.
Ramona Millen, who works on the environmental education team supported by Council, said the team is exploring ways to support ECEs with environmental education.
“The programme evolved from a growing interest from ECE teachers wanting to do more within their centres for environmental change,” she said.
The visit to Koru Native Wildlife Centre allowed teachers to meet co-owner Ellen Plaisier and learn about the resources she could offer to support kaiako (teachers) and tamariki (children) on their environmental education journey.
“Ellen has since visited a couple of the centres and taken the giant wētā and gecko with her,” Ramona says.
“It’s about facilitating relationships to give our young tamariki the opportunity to learn.”