Summer Classics in Positano

Young Friends has stopped laminating pictures and things found in nature. Another throw-away use of plastic that many settings use that is incredibly bad for the environment. It catapults the things that have been laminated from biodegrading in weeks or months to never. Plus when used to preserve' things found in nature the craft and sensory opportunities diminish too. Down with laminating!

All nurseries and schools laminate right? Well I've got another money and nature saving tip - stop. Stop laminating pictures, signs and especially things found in nature...

There are many reasons to stop laminating and 'preserving' nature...

Once you’ve finished with your laminated nature and you chuck it in the bin, it’s highly likely that it may never biodegrade! Leaves can biodegrade in weeks, sticks in months, paper in three to five months. See my point? It’s turning something that’s good for the environment into something that’s bad for the environment.
If you’re using laminated nature for play it’s limiting the sensory component of the activity. Children no longer get to feel the varied textures on nature; they’ll only feel a piece of smooth plastic. Don’t they touch enough plastic already?

Usually when we include nature in any activity, we are encouraging children to discover, explore and connect with nature. We want children to be thinking about taking actions that are in the interests of protecting the natural world. Laminating nature sends the wrong message.
Finally, wouldn’t you agree that nature looks prettier without being encased in plastic?
It lasts longer, I get it, but there are plenty of ways to preserve nature that’s more environmentally friendly.

Or, just go outside and grab new natural materials each time.

Instead of laminating nature, preserve it naturally

Press them. It may be old-fashioned but pressing your flowers and leaves makes them last a lot longer and they still look lovely. And kids love it!

Dry them. Hang them up in a dark, dry place and in only a matter of days they are ready to be used.

Cover them in bees wax. Buy some bees wax, melt it under a flame and then, with a paint brush, lightly paint it on the leaves.

But don't stop there. Stop laminating full stop. It's simply an old fashioned way of doing things that has seen its day.