Early lessons in going green, keeping clean

Govt agencies team up with schools to teach 'green' habits, hygiene tips
Farah Mohd Ismail Straits Times 24 May 13;

FROM going green to keeping clean, the Government has been spreading such values to children as young as pre-schoolers.

On Wednesday, the National Parks Board (NParks) collaborated with 45 kindergartens to participate in the Green Wave movement to spread environmental awareness. At 10am, children here joined others around the world to plant trees in their school compounds and create a symbolic "green wave".

Mr Ng Cheow Kheng, NParks' director of horticulture and community gardening, said: "By having the pupils plant and care for the trees in their schools, we hope that they will come to feel a greater sense of ownership for our City in a Garden."

At the PAP Community Foundation's Fengshan kindergarten, 41 children took part in the shovelling and watering, reinforcing what they learnt in class about the environment.

Said principal Wong Woon Chian: "We would like to continue with this (programme) next year if possible, because it provides good exposure for the kids."

Yesterday, the National Environment Agency and Public Hygiene Council also launched the "I Am Your Green Champ" programme to spread environmental awareness and good personal hygiene in younger children. It previously targeted only primary and secondary school students.

Now, it will be conducted at 98 branches of My First Skool childcare centres, which are run by the National Trades Union Congress.

Mountbatten MP Lim Biow Chuan, the guest-of-honour at the launch, said in his speech that "sometimes, adults may not set good examples". This is why "it is important to inculcate good personal hygiene habits at a young age", he explained.

Relief teacher Tok Hwee Hwa, 37, was among parents who were present at the launch, held at My First Skool's Guillemard Crescent branch.

Her five-year-old son Tok Lee Feng was presented with the Green Champ award, which recognises children as ambassadors of the good habits they have picked up from the programme.

Mrs Tok gave the thumbs up to the programme. She said it helps to cultivate good habits such as picking up litter and returning dirty dishes in children, whom she described as "born helpers" who are more receptive to such advice.

The National Library Board also reaches out to young children to cultivate their interest in reading through a mobile library bus affectionately known as Molly. It brings books, audio-visual materials and online resources to childcare centres and kindergartens, where librarians conduct storytelling sessions and puppet shows.