What to do when it's just you...

Have you ever felt like you're walking this sustainability road alone...?  I certainly have.  There seems to be a distinct lack of interest from anyone else and you feel like your spinning your wheels and not getting very far.

I've spoken to lots of educators who feel this way.  So, you're not really alone!  There are lots of others out there, plodding along doing the best they can with what they've got.

So what do you do when it's just you?  How can you still make a contribution and keep moving towards embedding sustainability?

Here's a few ideas of things you can do:

• Keep a positive mindset, others will join you on the journey, eventually!
• Lead a sustainability project in your service.  Maybe its the collection of plastic lids for 'lids for kids' or introducing a compost bin or herb garden.
• Celebrate sustainability events like World Environment Day, National Tree Day, Recycling Week, or NAIDOC Week.
• Identify the sustainability themes in children's play or interests and extend on these through projects or inquiry based learning.
• Learn more and build your knowledge, skill-set, tool-set and confidence.  You'll then be ready to lead the way when others are ready to join you.  (Have you checked out our Sustainability Kick Start Program or Sustainability Squad Online Courses yet?)
• Use sustainability language.  Encourage STEM and Sustainability thinking.  Ask questions and be curious.
• Narrate your thinking and decision making processes with children.  Show them how we make sustainable decisions and think critically with sustainability in mind.
• Be a role model.  Model sustainable behaviour and decision making for children and your peers.

There's lots you can do when it's just you.  I'm sure there's many more opportunities.  As the children's interest is piqued, other educators will start to take notice.  This will be your opportunity to find your allies. 

Work within your circle of influence, and keep an eye out for opportunities to grow it.  Just don't stop.  Know that there are others out there doing exactly the same, and together we make a difference.

If you're not sure what your next move should be, why not book a time with me and get your very own, free  Sustainability Roadmap.  Identify the next 3 things you can do to keep you moving in the right direction.

We have a great community in the Early Years Sustainability Facebook Group.  Join us there if you haven't already, and you'll never feel like you're doing this on your own again!