Sustainability Action Picture Cards

Description

Support children to recognise and practise everyday sustainable actions with this engaging set of real-life picture cards.

Designed for Early Childhood and Primary learners, these cards help tamariki identify, understand, and label simple sustainability behaviours—such as recycling, reusing, conserving water, and caring for the environment.

Featuring clear, real-life images, these resources are especially effective for visual learners and are ideal for supporting communication, understanding, and routine-building in inclusive and special education classrooms.

• Real-life visual learning
• Sustainability actions & awareness
• Inclusive & accessible for all learners

Ways to Use in the Classroom

Matching & Sorting Activities

Sort cards into categories such as recycling, reusing, saving water, and caring for nature.

Discussion & Language Building

Use the cards to name, describe, and talk about each action.

Routine Support

Display cards in key areas (e.g. sinks, bins) to reinforce daily sustainable habits.

Sequencing Activities

Put cards in order to show steps (e.g. wash hands, turn off tap, dry hands).

Role Play & Real-Life Practice

Act out sustainable actions in the classroom or outdoor environment.

Inclusive Learning Ideas (Special Education Support)

Visual Supports & Communication

Use cards as visual cues for non-verbal or emerging language learners.

Choice-Making Activities

Offer two or more cards and ask, “Which one helps the environment?”

Simple Yes/No Sorting

Sort actions into “helps the Earth” and “does not help”.

Repetition & Routine Practice

Use the same cards daily to build understanding and independence.

One-to-One or Small Group Work

Support learners at their level with guided discussion and modelling.

Link to Real Environments

Take cards into real spaces (playground, garden, classroom) and match actions to real-life situations.

Simple. Visual. Inclusive.