The classroom can be a safe space for curiosity, investigative learning through play, and building confidence in a child.

In the last year, the CWBR team discovered the need for preschool teachers to have a similar experience, especially after a very difficult couple of years due to Covid-19. The need to come together and have exposure through different shared activities, igniting their own inquisitiveness as well as gaining access to resources to take back to their classrooms and share with the children.

The Bonnie People Project, based in Bonnievale, asked the CWBR team to share the opportunity of the teach-the-teacher outings and to host a group from Bonnievale in April 2022. The outings were originally offered to early childhood development (ECD) teachers in Franschhoek as part of a development programme in 2021. The Franschhoek teachers were given the opportunity to attend monthly outings to educational institutions and pristine areas in nature reserves to broaden their perspectives and gain insight into how and where to obtain educational resources, tools, and services.

The impact of the outings so far has not only had a positive impact at the ECD Centres but in their personal development and immediate families as well.

The monthly teach-the-teacher outings inspired a packed weekend programme for the ECD teachers based in Bonnievale.

The Bonnievale ECD Teachers Weekend

Thirteen nervous but excited Early Childhood Development teachers arrived in Franschhoek on a late Friday afternoon, ready for the weekend’s activities. A traditional South African braai and live music set the mood for the weekend. 

After dinner, the teachers were split into two teams and played games to encourage team spirit, with lots of small prizes won by all. The games, which could also be used in their classrooms, involved balance, coordination, and speed! Balancing as many apples as possible on a plate, as many cookies as possible on the forehead, picking up macaroni with a piece of spaghetti held between your teeth, putting together a puzzle, and many more.

On Saturday the group set off to Cape Town. First on the programme was Iziko South African Museum, and a show at the Planetarium. The screening was followed by a guided tour of the museum’s exhibitions and then a visit to the popular Discovery Room filled with tactile experiences and encouraged exploration through sensory learning. The group also explored the Company’s Gardens before venturing to Cape Town Science Centre, where they took part in two workshops that included making instruments from recycled materials and an introduction to the Lego activity, Six Bricks. The teachers were treated to a Science Show and the Camera Obscura experience as well as exploring the exhibitions open to the general public.

Learning

Life-size giraffe

Discovery room

Before heading back to Franschhoek, the group made a last stop at the Two Oceans Aquarium and went on a guided tour facilitated by a Marine Biologist, exploring ocean systems and life below the water. This activity gave them an insight into their rocky shore outing to be held on the Sunday.

Cape Town Science Centre

Two Oceans Aquarium

In the moment

Upon returning to Franschhoek, the day ended with a common kid’s favourite, Spaghetti Bolognaise, and a quiz on the day’s activities. Each teacher received a goodie bag which included a cooler bag, a set of Six Bricks, a notebook, colourful pens, and an Afrikaans and English version of Footprints in the Fynbos (a book recently published by the Cape Leopard Trust).

Packed and ready to return to Bonnievale, on Sunday morning, the group headed off to Betty’s Bay where they were met by Marine Biologist Dr M Boonzaaier-Davids and Anton Fortuin, a biology teacher who runs an ocean program at the Centre for Conservation Education with youth from the Cape Town area. Together, the group explored the rocky shore were allowed to carefully touch and learn about the creatures that call it home. The teachers were encouraged to take their classes out on discovery journeys in Bonnievale, and that learning about the wonders of the environment does not only have to be at the beach.

Hands-on learning

Sharing knowledge

Resources available

Lunch was at Harold Porter Botanical Gardens and became a guarded affair as the CWBR facilitators had to keep a lookout for the opportunistic baboons. What an experience! After lunch the group explored the wonders and uses of South African indigenous flora.

Before heading back home, the teachers had a final meet and greet with another ocean inhabitant at the Stony Point Penguin Colony; the African penguin.

With such a packed programme, the teachers had a lot to digest, and feeling inspired by the activities they had taken part in over the weekend, they expressed that they were excited to share their experience and use what they had learned in their classrooms.

Bonnie People Project started in 2003 and will celebrate their 20 years next year.  It was built-up from a 2-room building where all the children were accommodated.
Currently there are 3 ECD schools: Bonnie People with 117 children, Teletubbies with 50 children, and Kapteintjies with 83 children. The Bonnie People Project also has an aftercare program that runs from Monday to Thursday where extra attention is given to 30-40 children.

To find out more , check out the articles about the Franschhoek teachers outings and how NPO’s and organizations are investing resources in education.

Further reading

A New Outlook in the Classroom, published 28 May 2021

The ECD Legacy Project: Educational Outings Continued…, published 12 November 2021

Teacher Development Workshop: Sharing Environmental Education, published 23 July 2021

The Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve management team arrange monthly outings for 30 aspiring early childhood development (ECD) teacher trainees, who are participants in a joint initiative (Rotary Global Grant) in partnership with Rotary Club of Franschhoek and Drakenstein Valley. The activities aim to compliment and add onto the Level 4 ECD Teacher Training that will commence early next year.  

The participants have given feedback, stating that the impact of the outings thus far has not only had a positive impact at the ECD Centres but in their personal development and immediate families as well.  The programme offers a holistic experience to all involved.

Cape Leopard Trust Workshop

In August, Cape Leopard Trust facilitated an educational workshop at the CWBR Hub with the teacher trainees. The participants learned about the importance of nature and the leopard’s role in it, part-took in hands-on educational art activities, and were given educational material to take back to the classroom. The teachers were also given a set of three very special books, 'Footprints in the Fynbos,' (written in Afrikaans, isiXhosa, and English). The books teach children about conservation, leopards, and other animals, as well as have fun activities to do, creating an inclusive learning experience for the children.

Learning about resources available

Footprints in the Fynbos books recieved

CapeNature

In September, the participants visited Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve in Stellenbosch. A Workshop on the cycle of water was facilitated by CapeNature. Activities included sharing free online educational activities and resources for the pre-primary classroom, a puzzle competition, evaluating the health of rivers (mini-SASS), and crafts.

Water-cycle bracelet activity

Evaluating health of water. Mini-SASS

Giraffe House

In October, the participants ventured to Giraffe House where they saw a large variety of animals for the first time. Exploring the different sections, they came across zebras, antelope, many types of birds, and of course the famous giraffes. As part of the day’s activities, they were treated to a reptile Show and Tell. Though scared of the snakes at first, several of the teachers conquered their fear by posing with a python at the end.

In recognition and celebration of Teachers Appreciation Day, the CWBR team offered the teachers the opportunity to bring the children at their respective ECD’s to Giraffe House. The ECD’s are encouraged to raise the funds towards the entrance fees, and the CWBR will sponsor transport and the snacks for the day. Three ECD’s have reached out so far are due to go on their outing to Giraffe House in November and December. Supporting dignity and encouraging ownership toward extending the education beyond the classroom for the children.

Exposure to reptiles. Learnign about them to share later in their respective classrooms.

Documenting what they see

A bit of humour

Serene calm

In June 2021, two Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve Educational team members were honoured to attend the Cape Leopard Trust (CLT) Teacher Development Workshop. The workshop aimed to share Environmental Education resources, tools, and available services with like-minded teachers and educators.

This initiative also fosters a valuable network of support to build more awareness of Environmental Education available that can be added to the classroom experience and compliment the curriculum.    

“Environmental education (EE) connects individuals and communities to the natural world around us. It raises awareness of issues impacting the environment upon which we all depend, as well as actions we can take to improve and sustain it… It has the power to transform lives and society; it informs and inspires; it influences attitudes and motivates action.” Cape Leopard Trust

In addition to CLT sharing their EE Programme, WCED, SANBI, CapeNature and CTEET, attended the event to share their resources and services with workshop attendees. Western Cape Education Department opened and closed the Workshop with an introductory presentation and words of thanks.

Due to the success of the Workshop, more will be held in future which we look forward to attend!

To find out more, read the Cape Leopard Trust Article: Sharing is caring – teachers and NGO’s join hands to improve environmental learning

Cover photo: Photo collage by Cape Leopard Trust

The knowledge, skills and confidence gained will contribute positively to childhood development during the critical ‘First 1 000 days.’ It is the age when children are curious and develop their own sense of being, they investigate and learn.

As part of a joint Educational Global Grant Project with Rotary Club of Franschhoek and Drakenstein Valley, Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve Facilitators arrange and accompany monthly outings for 30 Early Childhood Development (ECD) aspiring teachers. The activities aim to compliment and add onto the Level 4 ECD Teacher Training that will commence early next year. Upon completion of the one-year course the participants will become qualified NFQ Level 4* ECD teachers. Improving employment opportunities, access to educational resources, entrepreneurial initiatives, and have a greater impact within their communities as a whole.

The aim of each CWBR facilitated outing is to stimulate discussion, encourage new experiences, and broaden the participants approach and knowledge to add to the lesson plans in their respective ECD Centres. Shared activities are undertaken, and excursions to a variety of educational venues to encourage curiosity and investigative thinking. The participants also come away with educational activities and new tools to share with the children and their families.

The Educational Outings

The first outing took place along the Berg River in Franschhoek, en route to the Berg Dam, an area new to most of the participants though they live in close proximity to the Nature Reserve. It was a tactile experience exploring the sounds, smells, and textures in nature, linking environmental education to the ECD curriculum. The participants were encouraged to touch, smell, observe, and investigate the pristine surroundings, to pose questions such as where water is from, how caring for one’s environment has positive impacts, and what can be taken away from the experience outdoors - back into the classroom. The group were accompanied by two educators with in-depth knowledge in childhood and adult education and development, as well as a marine biologist, and a CWBR environmental educator.  

In celebration of International Museum week, this month, the participants were hosted by IZIKO South African Museum for a full day of activities and exploration.

The participants were introduced to the history of the museum, how it came to be, and then taken on an IZIKO facilitated educational tour through the various exhibitions. The participants were encouraged to allow ‘children to be children’ in the space and to be excited and explore. The collections visited included Marine Biology, Insects, Terrestrial Vertebrates, Palaeontology, and Rock Art. Topics included comparing textures, sizes, how use language relatable to young children to group and tell apart birds, reptiles, and mammals. IZIKO educational packs with material to enrich and add value to the activities in the participants classrooms were given to the group at the end of the tour.

Walking across the Company Garden after lunch, the participants made their way to the South African National Gallery. A space that hosts outstanding collections of South African, African, British, French, Dutch and Flemish Art. After introductions to the Art Gallery, the participants explored the space later coming together as group in the Tribute section, a study exhibition for South African participants and teachers.

The participants and CWBR Facilitators were encouraged to interpret art by the art educator: not to describe an art piece through simple terms (happy/ angry/ scary) but rather through texture and colour (soft/ hard/ light/ dark). This was a completely new experience for the participants and CWBR Facilitators!

The hands-on learning and exposure to different educational environments through these outings have already shown a positive impact amongst the participants. The outings have highlighted the importance of going to educational venues and having access to resources for aspiring teachers and established ECD’s alike. This further enriches the classroom experience and creates a fully engaging and investigative learning space for the first 1000 days of a child’s life.  

Additional Partners

This project is made possible through the collaboration with Bhabahthane NPO who coordinate and assist the aspiring teachers in preparation for the one-year course.

The educational outings are made possible through the partnership with Athénée Action Humanitaire, a Luxembourg NGO.

* SA National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4 qualification, Certificate in Early Childhood Development Practice.

The participants reflecting on their surroundings at the Berg River, Franschhoek

Utilizing binoculars to investigate the space

History of IZIKO South African Museum and introduction to associated IZIKO museums available to visit

Fortunate to experience the Discovery room at IZIKO, the participants were introduced to the IZIKO educational programme and shown activities to take back to their own classrooms.

Guided through the varying exhibitions, the teachers were encouraged to share how they would pose question and utilize the space with the children.

Linking Marine Education to the Early Childhood Development Curriculum and experiencing the true size of a whale!

Exploring the current exhibition at the National Gallery

Rethinking interpretation. Discussing and learning how to understand and describe art

A big thank you to Rotary Club of Franschhoek and Drakenstein Valley, IZIKO South African Museum, the South African National Gallery, Bhabhathane, Athénée Action Humanitaire, and the curious and investigative aspiring teachers who are taking part in this exciting initiative!