Learning about sustainable practices as a family

The SJI International Preschool community recently gathered at The Dempsey Project for a “Farm to Table” family activity. Read on to find out how children learnt about sustainable practices through these hands-on experiences.

Creating memories through a family activity

Children and their families used harvests from the school’s aquaponics farm to prepare dishes from a menu curated by Chef Jeremy Nguee.

From the garden, children gathered peppermint and Italian green basil for a refreshing basil-mint cooler, butterhead lettuce to wrap breaded cauliflower wings, and Thai watercress and Japanese mustard greens for a poached chicken salad.

Over 30 families, alongside the SJI International Preschool team, and James Yin from V-Plus Agritech, who designed and set up the on-campus aquaponics farm, came together. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and laughter as everyone create shared memories of food, joy and creativity as one family.

Cultivating sustainable practices

The school says that the “Farm to Table” event marked a meaningful culmination of its aquaponics programme. This programme integrates the children’s learning in several ways. In the weeks leading up to it, for example, preschoolers across different class levels took turns planting and harvesting vegetables, gaining hands-on experience in transplanting seedlings, and caring for herbs and greens.

Through food preparation and sensory explorations, the children gained firsthand insight into where food comes from, discovered sustainable practices and built a deeper connection to the natural systems that support life.

Hands-on learning with the “Farm to Table” experience

According to the SJI International Preschool team, there were other learning outcomes of the school’s inquiry approach for the children. They:

• discovered how mindful food production free from pesticides and with minimal waste can positively impact our planet;
• came to understand how food choices and farming methods balance what humans need with environmental health;
• nurtured a sense of responsibility and fostered respect for nature through responsible actions;
• investigated and documented the diversity of living things and their characteristics through observation;
• explored how non-living elements such as water, light and equipment work alongside living organisms to create a thriving ecosystem; and
• appreciated the interdependence between living and non-living things, including people, tools and natural resources.

The activity is rooted in explorations of human actions and the relationship between living and non-living things. Through the hands-on experience, children deepened their understanding of food systems, responsible choices and the importance of caring for both people and planet.

A parent’s thoughts on this family activity…

“The family activity was a wonderful way for us parents to see how the school’s efforts have impacted our children’s learning with sustainable gardening practices. The collaboration with the restaurant was great for fostering close communities that help each other, and the dishes created were delicious!” – Denise, mother of Killian in Kindergarten 1

SJI International Preschool is at 49A Holland Road.
6908 4520 | sji-internationalpreschool.com.sg

This article about family activities at SJI International Preschool first appeared in the October 2025 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy. Read about SJI International Preschool’s regular Open House events – then head to our Kids section for ideas on things to do with kids!

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