Our preschool groups, part of a P–6 government primary school, saw this project as a meaningful way to incorporate children’s ideas, thoughts and perspectives into a shared design. Teachers introduced the concept by discussing sustainability, exploring how we can reduce, recycle and reuse materials, and how we can care for the animals that share our environment. 

Children viewed photographs of different scarecrows, which sparked enthusiastic discussion and imaginative suggestions. They then drew and represented their ideas, communicating their thinking about what their scarecrow could become. Over the following week, interested children worked with Educators to search our shed and preschool environment for reusable materials. This encouraged creative thinking about how everyday objects could be repurposed. 

Children suggested many possibilities, including designing a scarecrow inspired by an endangered animal. After thoughtful discussion, we chose a sea turtle, as the children had been talking about keeping rubbish out of the ocean. Teachers gathered resources and explored practical ways to bring the children’s ideas to life, ensuring materials were safely and securely connected. Many components were also kindly donated by families and other areas of the school. Once completed, the children voted to name our turtle scarecrow Shellington.