TEACHING RECYCLING FOR KIDS
From an early age, it’s crucial to educate our kids about the importance of preserving our environment and making it even better than how we found it.
Recycling plays a vital role in this process as it involves transforming our trash into new products. By recycling our waste, we not only prevent it from filling up landfills but also contribute to the creation of affordable new products by recycling our old ones.
Early childhood is the best time to instil eco-friendly habits, as once the foundation is set, children are going to grow up into environmentally conscious individuals.
Above all, what you learn at a very young age and the habits that you make are remembered and followed throughout your life.
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Age-appropriate Activities and Resources
These are some fun and engaging activities that introduce recycling for kids. Choose age-appropriate activities for your kids.
Sort It Out
Create bins for different types of waste, such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal.
Encourage kids to sort items into the appropriate bins. You can talk about why each item belongs in a specific bin and explain the importance of separating recyclables.
Recycled Art
- Using egg cartons to make caterpillars
- Use children’s drawings as wrapping papers
- Use cereal boxes to make a monster truck.
- Use old A4 sheets to make your own party confetti.
Use milk cartons to make bird feeders
Creating bird feeders using milk cartons is a fun and creative way to teach recycling for kids.
Not only do they learn about waste reduction, but they also use the cartons as a food source for birds, creating a bond with nature.
Recycling Relay Race
This is a fun activity!
Set up a relay race where kids have to collect recyclables from various locations and sort them correctly.
Make it fun by setting a timer and awarding points for accuracy and speed. This interactive game helps reinforce the idea of responsible waste disposal.
Trash Trivia
Create a recycling-themed trivia game by asking questions about different recyclable materials, their properties, and the recycling process.
You can also include questions about the environmental impact of recycling, depending on the age of the kids. This activity encourages the learning and retention of recycling facts.
Books and Storytime
Try these children’s books that promote recycling and environmental stewardship
Micheal Recycle by Ellie Bethel
Recycling is Fun by Charles Ghigna
Why should I recycle? by Gen Green
I Can Save the Earth by Alison Inches
Don’t Throw That Away by Lara Bergen
As a follow-up activity, children can draw their own recycling checklist, which shows which items belong in the recycling bin.
Community Involvement
Children can help by donating their clothes and toys that they no longer need but are in good condition. They can sort, clean and donate them.
Participating in community clean-up events or starting a school recycling programme is also a great way to get involved.
Also, why not sell second-hand books and toys at garage sales or even start up a community library with all the books they no longer need!
Field Trip to a Recycling CentRE
Arrange a visit to a local recycling centre with kids so they can see first-hand how recyclables are sorted, processed, and turned into new products.
This hands-on experience will deepen their understanding of the recycling process and its benefits.
Sing And Learn
Why not watch their favourite educational TV show to learn about recycling? Here is one of them.
Benefits of Teaching Recycling For Kids
The benefits of teaching recycling at a young age are both short-term and long-term.
Children improve their decision-making skills and organisational skills as they try to sort trash into different categories.
They set an example for other kids as well, who may eventually do the same. It improves their self-confidence.
Long-term benefits include children becoming responsible and environment-conscious adults when they grow up. The more kids do this, the more we will be able to preserve our environment.
Tips for Parents and Educators
1. Set up a recycling bin at home.
2. Encourage kids to reuse as much as they can. Encourage them to use their old rags for cleaning windows and floors.
3. Encourage children to earn pocket money by selling their used books and clothes.
4. Give them a glass jar, cardboard boxes, and junk mail for craft activities.
5. Modelling eco-friendly behaviour being proud of reusing and recycling what you have and encouraging others to do so.
Read this great booklet about the concept of recycling for kids
Conclusion
Teaching recycling to children is one of the most important steps we should take to ensure a better future for them.
The world is changing, people’s consumer habits are expanding rapidly, and with increasing environmental awareness, our young generation plays a key role in ensuring a better future for everyone.
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