By Maria Rangwala
In urban Singapore, opportunities for children to connect with nature are hard to come by. At M.Y World @ McNair Towers, sustainability education goes beyond the classroom. On a sunny day in May, we joined a group of energised preschoolers to get our hands dirty as part of the preschool’s experiential activity for Go Green SG 2026. In a community garden nestled within McNair Towers, preschoolers learn firsthand about growing food, reducing waste, and caring for the environment.
M.Y World @ McNair Towers Plot
Here, a variety of plants – including chilli, onion, papaya, and Ulam Raja (also known as “King’s salad”) – are grown in a garden plot tended to by teachers and children from M.Y World @ McNair Towers. Harvested produce is used in the preschool kitchen, or brought home by the children. Food scraps are then used as compost and returned to the soil, forming a closed-loop system. This helps children understand how food is grown and how food scraps can be given a second life.
Sandhya, the preschool’s principal, 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. “It’s a point of reflection and gratitude [for the kids] when they do not have anything to harvest,” she shared. “It helps children develop gratitude for the food that is readily available to us today, while also deepening their understanding of the effort, patience and care involved in bringing food to our tables.”
Seeing the children loosening soil with tiny shovels and placing food scraps into the soil, Sandhya adds: “I am grateful to see children enjoying the process of getting their hands dirty. There is truly no more authentic way to learn about farming than by experiencing it first-hand.”
Kids loosening the soil to add compost
Innovation also finds its way into the garden. Teachers and students brainstormed to create a self-watering system using rainwater without the dangers of attracting mosquitoes through stagnant water. Through everyday household items like an upside-down plastic bottle and a syringe, the setup collects rainwater and slowly releases water to the plants.
Self-watering system created by the children and teachers
Beyond the garden, M.Y World @ McNair Towers 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 shared, adding that her son Zayne, at the age of three, 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 (KWSH), one of the preschool’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 Active Aging Centre 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 enjoying the children’s youthful company. Beyond gardening, the preschool and KWSH collaborate on campaigns, community walks, and other activities that encourage interaction between the young and the 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 regardless of age.” 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.
Pictured: M.Y World Preschool children and teachers, Madam June (KWSH), Nisa (parent)
