Teach children about saving the earth.

Every year during Earth Day week, the daycare focuses its learning on “green activities.” We talk about being “green,” we sing songs, play games, and do science, math, and art activities that revolve around saving our planet.

But one week of learning is not enough.

In my daycare, someone chooses to be the “Green Hero” as a job each day. They throw any trash away that they find, and they do all the recycling for the day. They also get to dump the compost into the outside compost bin and do the daily compost tumbling. This job allows them to physically participate in saving the planet.

I have a clearly labeled recycle can with a poster above it that shows what can and cannot be recycled in the can. They are reminded daily on ways they can save the earth when I ask them to turn off the light when they come out of the bathroom, or when I remind them to turn the water off while they suds up their hands during handwashing. They know tiny scraps of paper need to go into the trash since they can clog up the recycle machines. They know that construction paper can not be recycled as it is a mixed paper. They bring in batteries for me to take to the hazardous waste facility. They know we Terracycle snack bags, toothbrushes, gloves, and diaper and wipe packaging.

Kiddos are very smart creatures and can be taught a wealth of things at an early age. Let them help you with projects that are good for the earth. Let them know about climate change in a way tailored for their age level. Let them hear about where paper comes from and where the foods we eat come from. Let them dig in the dirt and tell them how important the sun and plants are to us. Let them experience what “being green” is like and let that become a habit for them.

As climate change, deforestation, and animal agriculture continue to get worse every generation, it is imperative that kiddos learn about ways they can be involved in making the earth a better place- for when they grow up and when they have children of their own.