I’m an atmospheric scientist. I study climate change, one of the most pressing issues we face today.
I don’t accept global warming on faith: I crunch the data, I analyze the models, I help engineers and city managers and ecologists quantify the impacts.
The data tells us the planet is warming; the science is clear that humans are responsible; the impacts we’re seeing today are already serious; and our future is in our hands. As John Holdren once said, “We basically have three choices: mitigation, adaptation, and suffering. We’re going to do some of each. The question is what the mix is going to be. The more mitigation we do, the less adaptation will be required, and the less suffering there will be.”
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Earth Day is an important day for teaching preschoolers about the environment and taking action to protect our planet. It can be a great opportunity to get kids involved with fun activities that help them learn more about sustainability while also having some fun!
With this in mind, here are some awesome ideas for celebrating Earth Day with your preschooler or classroom.
From planting seeds and going on nature walks to creating artwork out of recycled materials and making homemade compost bins, there’s something special for every kid who wants to celebrate Earth Day.
Each activity will not only teach children how their actions affect the environment but also show them just how much they can do when it comes to preserving the earth.
Let’s explore all of these exciting possibilities!
Planting Seeds
Planting seeds is a great way to teach children about the wonders of nature. It’s an easy and fun activity that helps kids understand how plants grow and changes over time. Plus, it’s a great opportunity for them to investigate different soil types and learn about photosynthesis!
To start off, gather some containers like small flower pots or cups with drainage holes at the bottom. This will help keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Gather some potting mix, compost, and garden soil from your local store. Explain to the children that each type of soil has unique properties which affect how well plants will grow in them. Let them each pick their favorite soil to use in their container and encourage them to explore its texture, smell, color, etc., as they fill up their container.
Next let the students choose what kind of seed they would like to plant; more than likely you’ll have several varieties available such as carrots, radishes, beans, flowers, etc.. As they do this explain to them why certain kinds of plants need specific conditions in order for them to thrive—like needing full sunlight or partial shade for example.
Then after planting the seeds discuss how much water is needed for optimal growth (not too little nor too much). Lastly remind them that taking care of these plants requires patience – explaining that even though new sprouts may take weeks or months before appearing above ground doesn’t mean nothing is happening below!
Going On Nature Walks
Now that we’ve planted our seeds, let’s take a walk in nature!
Nature walks are great for observing wildlife and getting close to the natural world. We can also think about ways to reduce waste while out on our adventure.
Before heading off, be sure everyone has comfortable shoes, water bottles and hats or sunglasses. Make sure you have permission from caregivers before going outside as well.
Then it’s time to explore what Mother Nature has to offer us!
On your nature walk, encourage children to look around them with their eyes wide open. Ask them questions like ‘What leaves do you see?’, ‘Are there any animals around?’ or ‘What sounds do you hear?’. Remind kids not to disturb the insects or other creatures they may find – just observe quietly from a distance.
Be mindful of how much garbage is left behind too; bring along some reusable bags so that no trash ends up left in nature when you leave.
We hope this activity helps inspire an appreciation of the environment and encourages children to make conscious decisions as stewards of the planet!
Creating Artwork From Recycled Materials
Preschoolers can get creative when making art projects from recycled materials! Building birdhouses is a great way to teach children about the importance of reusing old materials.
Have them collect small scraps of wood, cardboard and fabric, then help them assemble these pieces into something new – like a tiny home for feathered friends.
Creating artwork with recyclables is also an enjoyable activity that teaches kids how reuse items they would normally throw away.
Give each child a few plastic bottles, egg cartons and paper towel rolls, then challenge them to come up with their own sculpture or painting.
You’ll be amazed by what they create!
This earth day project is not only fun but also helps young ones understand the value in repurposing everyday objects. It encourages them to think outside of the box while promoting sustainable practices at the same time.
Making Homemade Compost Bins
Creating artwork from recycled materials was a great way to celebrate Earth Day, but there’s still more that can be done!
Making homemade compost bins is an easy and fun activity for preschoolers to learn about reducing waste and energy conservation. With just a few supplies like newspaper, water, handfuls of soil or grass clippings, the children will have a blast learning how to make their own mini-compost bin.
The process starts with tearing up old newspapers into strips which become the foundation of the compost box. Kids can fill it up with all sorts of small items such as leaves, grass cuttings, food scraps and other organic material – these are essential ingredients for creating rich soil.
Once they’ve filled up their boxes and added enough water, then comes the waiting game: nature does its job in breaking down the contents over time, turning them into nutrient-rich fertilizer for plants.
It’s important to explain how this process helps reduce waste by taking organic matter out of landfills where it would create methane gas emissions instead of being put back into use in gardens and flowerbeds.
Preschool teachers don’t need to worry about having too much mess either – any leftover composting materials can always be used outside in garden beds around school grounds or donated to local community gardens!
Guiding little ones through making their own compost bins also allows them to experience first hand how one person’s actions really can have an impact on our environment – after all isn’t that what Earth Day is all about?
Exploring Sustainable Practices
Let’s explore some sustainable practices to help take care of the earth!
Reducing waste is an easy way to get started. We can start by saying no to single-use plastics and utilizing reusable items like water bottles and lunch bags. Additionally, why not think about the packaging materials that come with purchases? Can we choose more sustainable options when it comes to shipping boxes and plastic wrap?
Energy conservation is another important part of sustainability. As kids, we can turn off lights when they’re not in use or unplug electronics when they are done charging. Doing small things like these will have a big impact on reducing energy costs. It’s also fun to participate in activities such as turning off all the lights for Earth Hour or participating in local cleanups!
Finally, let’s make sure our teachers know what we’ve learned about sustainable practices so that everyone at school can do their part in taking care of the planet. We can even share our knowledge with friends and family too – there’s nothing better than spreading awareness about how cool it is to be eco-friendly!
Final Thoughts on Preschool Earth Day Activities
Earth day activities for preschoolers are a great way to get kids excited about their environment!
Planting seeds, going on nature walks, creating artwork from recycled materials, making homemade compost bins and exploring sustainable practices can be so much fun that your kids won’t even realize they’re learning.
With these simple but impactful activities, you’ll turn your little ones into eco-warriors in no time. And before you know it, they’ll be leading the charge when it comes to preserving our planet’s resources for generations to come!
