By Maria Rangwala
In urban Singapore, opportunities for children to connect with nature can be hard to come by. At the preschool M.Y. World at McNair Towers, however, sustainability education goes beyond the classroom. On a sunny day in May, we joined a group of energised preschoolers and headed to the rooftop community garden, ready to get our hands dirty as part of the school’s Go Green SG 2026 activity. In a plot nestled within the McNair Towers’ rooftop gardening space, the preschoolers learn firsthand about growing food, reducing waste, and caring for the environment.
In the plot, a variety of plants are grown, like chili, onion, papaya, and Ulam Raja. These plants are then harvested and used in the preschool kitchen, or brought back home by parents and teachers. Limes and pandan leaves are also grown and used to make refreshing juices for the kids on hot days. Kitchen scraps are then used as compost and returned to the soil, forming a closed-loop system. This helps children understand the journey from food to waste and howfood waste recycling gives food scraps a second life.
The school’s principal, Ms Sandhya, explained that tending to this plot has helped the children understand the importance of food resilience and appreciate where their food comes from. The timing of their harvests often aligns with the Pongal Harvest Festival celebrated in Mid-January, she tells us. “It’s a point of reflection [for the kids] when they do not have anything to harvest.” These moments help them understand the challenges and uncertainties that farmers face, fostering greater appreciation for the hard work behind growing food.
Today, the children were loosening the soil with tiny shovels and placing food scraps into the soil. "I'm grateful that the parents don't complain about soil on their shirts," Sandhya adds, laughing.
Innovation also finds its way into the garden. Teachers and students have brainstormed to create a self-watering system without the dangers of attracting mosquitoes through stagnant water. Through an upside-down plastic bottle and a syringe, the setup collects rainwater and slowly releases water to the plants.
Beyond the garden, M.Y. World organises many activities relating to nature and the environment, like parent-child learning journeys to East Coast Park and Coney Island. “[These trips] help my son be more aware of nature, and how to be more empathetic towards the environment.” Nisa, a parent of one of the students, shared, adding that her son Zane has started to be more conscious of food waste and water usage at home. Parents also play a part in the preschool’s plot, helping occasionally with planting and harvesting.
Located right next to the preschool is Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital, one of M.Y. World McNair Tower’s community partners. The preschool regularly brings together children and seniors through activities that foster meaningful intergenerational connections.
During our visit, Madam June from the nursing home joined the children at the plot and reflected on how childhood experiences have changed over the generations. "The new generation [is] not exposed to kampung life or farming like during our time," she shared. She believes these hands-on gardening experiences can help children cultivate an appreciation for the environment from a young age.
These shared gardening sessions provide opportunities for seniors to pass on their knowledge and experiences, while also getting to enjoy the children’s youthful company. Beyond gardening, M.Y. World and Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital also collaborate on community walks, campaigns, and other activities that encourage interaction between young and old.
For Sandhya, these initiatives reflect a broader understanding of sustainability. "Sustainability is a way of life. It benefits in terms of mind, body, and soul.” Through experiences with nature and through nurturing connections across generations, the children are learning values that extend far beyond the garden, offering optimism for a sustainable future.
