Though learning about our environment is important every day, Earth Day gives us an extra special opportunity to share Mother Nature’s love with our preschool students. The world is full of beauty, no matter the season, and exploring the world around us is a fantastic way to learn about the wonders of nature. Are you and your child ready to take part this year? Here are five ways that preschoolers can celebrate Earth Day.
Pick Up Trash
Whether you live in the city or the country, it’s all too frequent that we encounter trash and litter on the ground whenever we step outside. Seeing litter on the ground provides a great opportunity to teach your child about the importance of keeping our environment clean. Discuss how trash on the ground makes its way into our water systems, or can even hurt someone if it’s discarded glass or sharp metal. Next time you go out on a walk with your little one, take a small bag with you to pick up any trash that you see on your way.
Plant a Tree or Garden
Children love seeing the growth process of trees, flowers, or fruits and vegetables that they have planted on their own. This year, choose something to plant together while talking about the positive impact it will have on the environment in the future. You might explain pollination, discuss species that will make that plant their home, or even talk about the animal or insect that might eat that plant to live. If you plant a fruit or veggie, your preschooler will love seeing that your family can eat the produce, too, which makes an excellent way to incorporate food into your Earth Day lesson.
Visit a Park or Arboretum
Your neighborhood or yard has lots of interesting plants and critters to learn about with your preschooler. But, if you’re hoping to take that lesson to the next level, you may consider heading to a local park, botanical garden, wildlife reserve, or arboretum. These areas will have lovely sites for your little one to take in, from new plants and animals to bubbling creeks and waterfalls.
Make a Bird Feeder
Bird feeders are exceptionally easy to make at home from just a few things you have around the house. All you need is some string, a pinecone, peanut butter, and birdseed. Help your little one find a pinecone outside, and tie a piece of string or twine around the top so that it will hang from your porch or a tree. Spread peanut butter in all the grooves of the pinecone and then roll it in birdseed. Voila! If you can’t locate a pine cone, you can also reuse an empty cardboard tube and thread the twine through it. Hang your new bird feeder wherever you and your child can watch the birds enjoy!
Replace a Drive with a Walk
Instead of driving down the street to the store or the park, enjoy a nice walk with your child as an opportunity to take in the natural environment of your neighborhood. You’ll get quality family time, exercise, and help reduce emissions. There are countless benefits when we all work together to help our environment! You can even turn your family walk into a nature adventure, collecting neat leaves, flowers, and rocks along the way.
Students at The Gardner School Love Learning About Our Environment
We love teaching our students about the world around them. There is so much life and wonder, and they feel such joy as they explore new concepts and see how everything works together. From cultivating relationships with plants and animals to practicing recycling, we are constantly learning about our natural environment and ways to protect it. To learn more about The Gardner School’s philosophy and programs, please visit our website or schedule a tour
