Young patients benefit from Eco Rangers programme
By Mary Dennehy
THE National Children’s Hospital in Tallaght has brought the outdoors indoors for the young patients attending its school.
Despite the challenges faced by the hospital, principal Aislinn Wilkins has successfully incorporated an interactive nature programme into the one-teacher school – which sees young patients connect with nature as they learn about trees, wildlife and sow seeds.
Ms Wilkins told The Echo that the school has adopted Bord na Mona’s Eco Rangers programme, which provides online learning resources that prove very useful in a hospital setting.
“Despite the challenges faced we have found a way of incorporating a nature programme into a hospital setting,” Ms Wilkins told The Echo.
“The online resources provided by Eco Rangers are amazing, and allows me to teach children in the classroom or on their ward.”
She added: “Through the programme the children are getting in touch with nature and learning about the environment and the local flora and fauna in their area.
“The programme also encourages nature walks and eco safaris, which our children would not be able to do.
“However, the programme is great at encouraging them to get outside exploring when they go home.”
The school bought a small model farm which, easily carried around the hospital, is used by the students to sow seeds on – and watch them grow.
“Children learn about the life cycle of a plant, and it brings to life what they’re learning,” she said.
“They also do leaf rubbings with crayon, which allows them to study the vines on the leaves.
“The nature of the school hospital is obviously very transient, so for the children that are only with us for a short while the online resources are great in showing them what the seeds they have planted will grow into.”
She added: “The children really enjoy the programme, it’s something different and feeds into their interest of learning about the different plants and animals in their area.”
Eco Rangers is a programme by Bord na Mona which sets out to reconnect children with nature through a series of educational and fun elements.
Teachers are provided with the tools they need such as teachers’ packs, lesson plans and games.
To date more than 600 schools across Ireland are taking part in Eco Rangers and any interested schools in the South Dublin County area are invited to visit www.ecorangers.ie
