Tiny tots show the way to an eco-friendly world

 Dubai: Aprons made out of old rice bags, book holders carved out of used cereal boxes and pen holders from waste tissue rolls — these are a few creations that tiny tots at a newly opened nursery in Dubai can take pride in.

Aged between one and four, the 50-odd children at the Little Nest Nursery at Mankhool are being taught the need to save paper early on.

Green thumbs all, these kids in the ‘tiny toddler', ‘toddler' and ‘nursery' sections are encouraged to bring everything from old newspapers and cans to used yoghurt cups and plastic mesh berry baskets so that they can be used in school projects, thereby making them eco-friendly at an impressional age.

"We need to find innovative ways to work towards a better environment for the future of our children," said Savvy Kisani, director of the school.

The lessons in green have been incorporated into the UK-based Early Childhood curricula covering everything from mathematics, communication and languages to physical, personality and creative development. There is a section on knowledge and understanding of the world, with a focus on environment.

Classrooms at the nursery sport posters that talk of "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" with visual aids that encourage practices such as renting or borrowing books and CDs, donating toys and clothes that one has outgrown or carrying one's own bags while shopping. There are also classes on gardening.

"Green," said Nishanth, 3, indicating the colour that he may like to use for painting a tissue roll that will be made into a napkin holder. Diva, 4, was happy to show a photo frame that she created with pieces of cardboard she brought from home.

"The children are very involved with their work," said Samina Tauqir, a Canadian teacher trained in Montessori and the Early Childhood curriculum.