The Sustainable Market at E-Bridge Pre-School Edgedale Plains, featuring upcycled clothes for teddy bears, hair clips, fabric artworks and eco bags made by the children and educators
Written by Anthea Yeo
In support of Go Green SG 2025, 58 preschoolers participated in “Layers of Wonder”, an activity led by the educators of E-Bridge Pre-School Edgedale Plains to engage young children on the importance of sustainability.
Teddy bears dressed in upcycled clothes and accessories made by the children. There’s even a Cheongsam and a Hijab!
Which part did the children enjoy the most? Le En from class K2 Dreamers said she enjoyed the sewing while Chiara Lim from class K2 Coral said she had fun choosing which fabric scraps to use for her design. Both children hoped to apply what they learnt and create more upcycled outfits for their bears and dolls in future.
“The fact that the children want to make a difference for the environment [makes me] very proud as a teacher. It is not easy to create [these clothes],” Ms Jia Hui, Preschool Educator from E-Bridge Pre-School Edgedale Plains, shared.
The children upcycling old fabric scraps into fabric artworks and clothes for teddy bears.
On 16 May 2025, a “Sustainable Market” was also held at the preschool, where the stylishly dressed teddy bears were sold, alongside fabric artworks, upcycled hair clips and reusable bags. Proceeds from the charity sale went towards the Children’s Cancer Association*.
Chiara was glad that the proceeds from the charity sale could help the beneficiaries at the Association. Chiara expressed, “[With the money raised], the children can go for their check-ups and make sure they’re okay.”
Parents purchasing the upcycled products for their children to bring home, with proceeds going towards the Children’s Cancer Association.*
Going Beyond Layers of Wonder
Besides the charity sale, the preschool has also been practising sustainability in multiple ways. From recycling corners to repurposed materials in play areas, the preschool is putting in more effort to do their part for the environment.
As part of “Layers of Wonder”, the children could lie down in this play area made of upcycled fabric materials and engage in sensory play with different fabric textures.
Educators like Ms Jia Hui are also big on sustainability. Beyond the “Layers of Wonder” learning experience, Ms Jia Hui also incorporates recyclable materials in her day-to-day classroom learning experiences. One of her play areas is set up like a boutique where children upcycle old fabric scraps, donated by parents, into clothing using scissors and tape. These outfits are then used for children’s roleplay during lesson time – a good way for them to learn about sustainability through design and play. 
The “Junk to Gems” recycling/play area, where parents donate unwanted items to be repurposed by the school for classroom learning experiences.
The preschool repurposes excess construction materials such as these tiles for children to scribble on. Similar to a whiteboard, the children can erase and re-draw on the tiles as many times as they want.
Beyond the classroom, the children also practise sustainability at home. For example, Le En brings along a reusable bag whenever she goes shopping with her family. Meanwhile, Chiara reuses the water her mum washes rice with to water her plants at home.
Starting with “Layers of Wonder”, the children are learning to care for the environment while giving back to the community. Ms Amelia quips, “I believe in the importance of starting sustainability education from young. If we educate the children from young and it [becomes] a practice, I believe the practice will [turn into] permanence.”
*No funds were collected or processed through E-Bridge Pre-School. Parents who wished to contribute made their donations directly to the Children’s Cancer Association.
