Teach Kids About Earth Day

I am part of a preschool co-op that my son attends one morning each week.  Today was my turn to teach and the theme of course was Earth Day!  I think kids are never too young to learn that they can play an important role in keeping the planet healthy.  My son who is 4 reminds me to turn off the light when we leave a room.  He knows that we have bins in our garage into which we place our recyclable items.   He loves to help Daddy smash aluminum cans and to put plastics and paper in their respective bins.
As part of a hands on learning experience, I dumped a bunch of cans, paper, and plastic containers into a clean garbage sack.  I set out three bins labeled paper, plastic, and cans.  I told the kids we were going to sort trash for recycling.  They all said “yuck” at first.  But, once we got going, they were so excited.  They immediately pointed it out when something was “accidentally” placed in the wrong bins.
We also made 3D Paper Earth  crafts and stapled a string to them so the kids could hang them up when they got home.  If you are looking for ways to celebrate Earth Day or for creative crafts to do with your kids, just type in Earth Day and you will be flooded with sites that have lots of fun and interesting information.
I also downloaded the Happy Earth Day Coloring and Activities Book and talked about ways to make the earth a better place. 

• Keep your neighborhood clean by picking up litter and trash
• Recycle cans, plastics, glass, and paper
• Help keep the air clean-walk or ride your bicycle
• Save paper-use both sides
• Help save water-don’t leave the water running when brushing your teeth
• Help save energy-turn off the TV when you are done watching and turn out the lights when you leave the room
• Wash fruits and vegetables-to clean off dirt

Kids love to learn and I think they have an inborn love for the earth and for the wonders of nature.  My son spent hours today just playing in the “dirt” with his friend.  Sometimes he walks through the wooded part of our yard and says he is walking in the forest.  My daughter got on the ground to observe an ant walking around.  She gets so excited whenever she sees a “bug!”  Kids have a natural sense of wonder that is so fun and exciting to see.  Unfortunately, as adults, many of us have lost that wonderful sense of curiosity and the excitement of just being in nature.
So…How are we going to celebrate Earth Day tomorrow?  We’ll probably just play outside and enjoy the beautiful spring weather.  And, we’ll continue to try and do our part to make the earth a better place.   After all, can’t or shouldn’t every day be Earth Day?