Guzzler’s Big Book of Energy

Involving Children in Learning about Energy and the Environment

Early Childhood Ireland is happy to partner with Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to bring the ‘Guzzler’ energy programme to pre-school children nationwide.

This programme has been designed to help pre-school children to develop an understanding about energy and sustainability which in turn helps to foster a relationship with the environment. As we know, the values we build as children stay with us for the rest of our lives. So, the earlier we involve children in these important issues which will affect their lives, the more likely they are to be empowered citizens in the future.

You may have ordered and received the free ‘Guzzler’s Big Book on Energy’ book from our online shop. 

Guzzler is a friendly energy guzzling character who lives in Aoife’s wardrobe and involving the children in reading this book in your service will spark an interest in all things ‘energy’ and ‘energy saving’. In reading and discussing the concepts in the book, children can explore ways to save energy and understand more about the world around them and the role they can play in helping to sustain the environment.

How to maximise the use of the Guzzler Big Book in your service and win a Guzzler Puppet
Following the introduction of the book, you will find that the children’s interest and knowledge in energy and the environment will develop and it is important to name these experiences for the children. To help with this process each service will have also received ‘A Guzzler investigates Energy’ book with SESE activities and investigations for older and afterschool children. We also have a tip sheet which has been developed for younger children and includes important messages about sustainability that can be named and discussed with children. 

We know that children absorb even more when there is connection between the early childhood setting and their home environment and Guzzler can be that ‘energetic’ connection for children.

Some ‘Guzzler’ adventures may even be documented and submitted as a Learning Story or Inspired Practice Award with Early Childhood Ireland.  

How to win a Guzzler Puppet for your service 
The first 10 services to submit an inspired practice piece about Guzzler will receive a free Guzzler Puppet. Simply document (max. 800 words) how your service used the ‘Guzzler’ resources and how the children experienced Guzzler and investigating ways to save energy.

Please send your submission to cquinn@earlychildhoodireland.ie by 30th December 2018. .