by Denise Tay
Go Green SG is back in 2025 with over 900 activities nationwide organised by partners across the People, Private and Public (3P) sectors! From activities that members of the public can participate in to internal programmes and initiatives, Go Green SG activities raise awareness on climate change and rally Singaporeans, organisations and the community to take action and make Singapore a green, liveable and climate-resilient nation.
In support of Go Green SG, My First Skool @ Ang Mo Kio Blk 343 held Family Mission Day, an afternoon of sustainability-themed 'missions’ for preschoolers and their parents to accomplish together.
Family Mission Day was organised to promote family bonding and empower preschoolers to create a greener environment and future for preschoolers’ families and their community at a young age.
Recycling made fun!
One of the stations at Family Mission Day was a game booth, featuring three recycling bins for paper, plastic and metal. These recycling bins are named ‘The Recycling Pals’. At this booth, named ‘Eco-Challenge’, preschoolers had to complete recycling tasks in exchange for a stamp of completion on their mission card.
This Eco-Challenge is part of My First Skool’s efforts to educate preschoolers on recycling through gamification. The preschoolers’ parents got involved too, by washing and donating recyclables like shampoo bottles, beverage containers, and bottle caps. English teacher, Mr Joel Ng, quipped that the Eco-Challenge helped parents to learn more about recycling too. For instance, before putting the items into the recycling bins, parents realised that it is equally important to ensure that the recyclables were clean, and dry so as not to contaminate the other recyclables in the bin.
As part of the teachers’ continuous effort in sustainability education, ‘The Recycling Pals’ will be placed outside the centre as an ongoing effort for preschoolers to continue practicing their recycling habits. K1 preschooler Jeanne Soo shared her takeaways from taking part in the activity: “When [we] [recycle], the Earth will be clean. I want my family to live happily on a nice and clean Earth.”
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Mr Joel Ng (in orange shirt) engages parents about the Eco Challenge. Wearing an “Ask Me” badge, he was on standby to offer guidance to families and help stamp the preschoolers’ task cards.
Simple and exciting eco-games for the young ones
There was also a chia seed planting activity where the preschoolers, under the guidance of their teachers, planted the seeds for germination. Using recycled egg cartons for planting chia seeds was part of the preschool’s efforts to reuse materials.
With her freshly planted chia seeds, a preschooler poses for a photo.
Additionally, the preschoolers played a shopping game called ‘Packing Expert’, where they had to pack ‘groceries’ into reusable bags within a time limit. The activity taught the kids about reducing plastic bag consumption and kept them engaged, while their parents cheered them on.
Preschoolers draw a number from the options 3, 5 and 10. The number they receive tallies to the amount of ‘groceries’ they need to pack into the reusable bag in a stipulated time.
The importance of parental involvement in eco-centric education
Alvin Soo and Jessica Leong, parents of Jeanne, were seen having fun with their daughter as she excitedly sorted recyclables into the recycling bins. Jessica shared, “I think that eco consciousness is good, and parents can help build their child’s civic-mindedness too.”
Alvin Soo explaining the different types of recyclables to his daughter Jeanne while his wife Jessica watches on.
Rio Mansoor Popa, mother of K2 student Alena Alecia Popa, agreed, “I think parents should take action on sustainability and set an example for their children.”
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Rio Popa (right) watches her daughter, Alena (left), as she recycles a shampoo bottle.
To reduce waste, Adeline Chia, mother of N2 student Jeremiah Huang, tries buying less by distinguishing between her needs and wants. She hopes her son learns to understand the impact of his actions on the environment.
Adeline Chia (left), the mother of Jeremiah (right), guides her son on recycling.
Home is where sustainable change begins
Many good habits start from young, and the parents hope to inculcate eco-friendly habits in their children at home. Moreover, sustainability can become a shared family value, with its impact lasting for generations. Sharan Kaur, the mother of N2 student Roshan Singh, shared, “I learnt about recycling and reusing water from my mum. The habits run in my family!”
Sharan Kaur (right) and her son Roshan Singh (left) practice the sustainable habit of recycling
Judging by the parents' and their kids’ enthusiastic and active participation in My First Skool’s activities, the event was certainly a success! Families left the event with shared happy memories and renewed commitment to protect the environment.
Final thoughts
Teacher Mr Joel Ng also expressed his hope for his pre-schoolers to realise the importance of going green, “Whether it is recycling, switching off the tap to save water, conserving energy, or switching the aircon to 25 degrees, I hope they can continue to spread the awareness to their friends and their community.”
