Create a healthy early learning environment with these simple tips. Parents, teachers, and kids can work together to create green spaces at home or in the classroom.
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We have routines in place to maintain healthy environments at home. We clean. We take out the garbage. We recycle.
We also follow updates on best practices for reusing, recycling and reducing waste. The discussion around garbage is not limited to households. We also want to have up to date information on how to create a healthy early learning environment.
The simple tips and ideas in this post will help you maintain a space where preschoolers can learn and grow. The greening practices are easy to implement and most include ways kids can help set up and maintain.
Being aware of waste is a global responsibility, and one we can share with our kids at an early age so kids will learn to model our practices and attitudes.
Involving kids in the planning and delivery of a green play space will help create a more meaningful learning environment.
How to make your kids space a green space
Not everyone gets excited about garbage! But it’s a common topic around our house. No one wants overflowing garbage cans, unnecessary waste, and mounds of “stuff” to go through just to function on a daily basis.
Understanding the importance of green spaces is an important part of securing healthy environments.
What is a green space?
‘Green’ is a buzzword, and one we use a lot these days. It’s all about respecting our environment by finding ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Kids often hear about environmental issues around Earth Day. Hands-on activities are included in preschool and kindergarten programs to create awareness of harmful practices such as pollution, as well as healing practices such as recycling and reusing.
Greening your child care space is an opportunity to engage kids in environmentally friendly practices that can also save you money. Secure a healthy child care center with these helpful tips.
Related: Eco-Friendly Ideas for Wrapping Gifts
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Tips for creating a green child care space
1. Use separate containers for garbage and recyclables, as well as bins for food compost.
Sorting waste appropriately is part of the overall vision for a healthy learning space.
a) Identify containers with clear labels that indicate the contents for proper sorting.
b) Engage kids in cleaning up after a snack or meal to practice proper disposal of items.
2. Reduce your use of paper products.
Drawing attention to how products are used and disposed of is an important lesson for all.
a) Consider using individual, personally labelled, hand towels to replace disposable paper towels.
b) Keep absorbent washable cloths on hand to clean up spills
3. Provide adequate energy-saving lighting.
Maintain a healthy environment with valuable routine practices.
a) Install efficient light bulbs that consume less energy and keep costs down.
b) Turn off lights when leaving a room.
4. Upcycle used clothing for cleaning and paint protectors.
a) Slip your hand into a sock to use as a duster.
b) Cut up old clothing and linens to make rags to use as cleaning cloths.
c) Upcycle worn or discarded t-shirts as protective cover-ups for painting projects.
5. Repurpose household items for craft activities.
Collect clean recyclables in a large tote for kids projects.
a) Dispense paint and glue from bulk containers into jar lids or yogurt cups for individual use.
b) Save clean flat cardboard to use as paint canvases.
c) Glue craft eyes and yarn hair to mittens to make homemade puppets.
d) Decorate cardboard tubes with markers to use as telescopes.
e) Reuse broken crayons for craft projects.
6. Search your community for reusable freebies.
a) Collect lightly used toys and books from parents, friends and garage sales.
b) Promote toy and book exchanges with other child care centers.
c) Request paper scraps from a printing company, or wallpaper samples from a paint store.
7. Reduce water temperature.
Lower the maximum hot water temperature on the tap used by kids.
- While this may be required in classrooms and licensed child care centers, it can be beneficial at home as well. It’s safer for the kids, and saves you money.
8. Teach everyone about garbage.
Include a unit on recycling in your lesson plans. Teach kids and grownups how to sort garbage, compost food items, and recycle lightly used clothing.
Do these tips get you excited about garbage? I hope so. And I hope you have fun implementing your own greening practices with your eager early learners.
As parents and early childhood teachers, we have the best outcomes in mind for our kids when it comes to an early learning environment. Promoting green practices in your child care center is is good for the environment and saves you money!
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