Conservation Week at Nurtured Nest
Messy Hands, Mindful Hearts, and Seeded Intentions
There’s something special about watching a child make sense of the world with their own hands. This Conservation Week, our classroom was filled with the sounds of tearing, mixing, squishing, pouring—and lots of thoughtful conversations. The theme this year was "Rethinking & Recycling Paper", and our little learners rose to the challenge with open hearts and boundless creativity.
Learning Through Doing
The week began with an invitation: What can we do with paper that’s no longer needed?
That question led to a series of hands-on explorations—from scrap paper collages to handmade recycled paper. With every tear and blend, the children learned not only about materials and it’s possibilities but about impact
One child confidently announced,
“Recycling paper saves trees.”
Their words, like their actions, carried weight.
Making Paper That Grows
The highlight of the week was learning to create plantable paper cards—a project that brought together art, sustainability, and science. As the children experimented with textures and thickness, they discovered the importance of balance.
They looked at a variety of seeds and collectively agreed that Yellow French Marigold seeds would be best:
“They’re small and they won’t make the paper too clumpy,” one child observed.
With that, they carefully embedded the seeds into their handmade sheets, turning what was once discarded paper into tiny acts of hope—ready to be planted and grow.
Children as Citizens
In the Reggio Emilia approach, we view children as capable citizens with the power to contribute meaningfully to their community and the world. Conservation Week reminded us just how deeply children can connect to complex ideas when given the space, tools, and trust.
Through this process, our children not only explored recycling and sustainability, but practiced collaboration, critical thinking, and care. They made decisions together, reflected on outcomes, and celebrated each other's efforts.
