At Tartu Lasteaed Helika, an Eco-School in Estonia, young learners are discovering how small actions can make a difference for nature. Guided by educator Karine Andrjuskevitsjute, the children explore and care for their local environment through hands-on outdoor activities in their schoolyard.
Inspired by another #GenerationRestoration School, Colegio Regional Bilingüe in Mexico, the children created and dispersed flower seed balls containing calendula, cornflower, poppy, tagetes, and nasturtium seeds to support pollinators and local biodiversity.
Each year, the children also grow their own vegetables in the schoolyard, learning where their food comes from and developing a deeper connection with nature.
Curious about how fallen leaves help retain soil moisture; the children conducted a simple experiment called Leaf Blankets. They filled two buckets with soil, both with drainage holes, and covered the soil in one bucket with birch leaves. By observing the two buckets, the children explored how a layer of fallen leaves might affect soil moisture and the small creatures living in the soil.
The children also took action to protect local wildlife by creating a quiet, dry shelter for hedgehogs in their schoolyard. Through this activity, they discovered how caring for nature begins with observing their surroundings and taking small, meaningful actions. For the children, the hedgehog became more than just a wild animal; it became a neighbour they wanted to protect.
Through these activities, the young learners at Tartu Lasteaed Helika are discovering how even small actions can help care for local ecosystems, while building curiosity, responsibility, and a lasting connection with nature.
