Earth Day is coming up April 22 and teaching the concept to preschools can sometimes be challenging. Have no fear, however, because there are countless activities to introduce the day to preschoolers.
Preschoolers are like sponges so introducing them to recycling and appreciating the Earth we live on is the best you can hope for with this age. There will be no in-depth essays on Earth global warming etc. No, you just want to stimulate their five senses and get them excited about Earth and recycling. What are some ways to do that? Here are a few activities I do in my centers every year.
Art Time
Coffee filter Earths-this is probably the most popular activity for Earth day. Place blue and green colored water in cups. Then allow the kids to use eyedroppers to drop the colors on their Earth. Let dry and an Earth is formed.
Toddler Art time-Cut out a giant circle out of blue butcher paper. Allow kids to dip their hands in green paint or stampers and make handprints for the land areas.
Rainsticks-Recycle old paper towel rolls by making rainsticks. Have the children close the bottom of the stick with paper and tape. Then fill with beans or rice. You can also crumple up some aluminum foil to make a louder sound. Allow the kids to use construction paper to decorate how they would like.
Parade-Create vests by using grocery sacks decorated with recycled supplies such as used yogurt cups, etc. Have the children use paint to decorate and glue to place them on the vest. Then parade around school so that the other classes can see the beauty of recyclables as well as learn what items can be recycled.
Science Center
Engineering station-I have parents send in old yogurt containers, butter bowls, fruit cups, milk jugs, etc. Make sure you request that they are cleaned out. Encourage them to let their kids help clean after using instead of throwing away. The kids will be excited to be part of the process. Then I set out the recycled containers and let the kids build with them. I include tape in the center. I have had kids make rocket ships out of paper towel rolls and yogurt containers. You will be surprised what the kids can come up with in this center. Despite how it turns out, the kids love the process and are super proud of their own creations. You can put out laminated pictures of objects for them to try and build if you think they may need some extra ideas.
Get out the Globe-Kids in preschool can still learn what a globe is. They will like seeing it turn around if anything. However, teach them that the blue parts are water and the green parts are land. Show them where they live. Leave the globe out for the kids to explore throughout the day on their own.
Plant a tree-I remember doing this when I was in school. Kids love getting in the dirt and it is a memory they will have forever as well as be able to bring their kids back to see one day.
Go for a nature walk-Place tape sticky side out on the kids wrists and let them go and collect things in nature. You could also decorate a litter box or sack and go around outside the school to pick up littler.
Snacktime
Pudding cups-Crumble oreos in chocolate pudding to make dirt cups. For an added touch you can add a gummy worm or bugs.
Fruit-Teach the kids that fruit comes from the earth and how it is healthy for them.
Sugar cookies or cupcakes-let children ice cookies or cupcakes with blue and green icing.
Homeliving
Place recyling bins in the homeliving center. Allow kids to sort recyclable items into a different bin. Have a bin for newspapers, cans, etc. and place those items in the center for the kids to sort.
Block area
Create a pond out of blocks and blue construction paper. Have the kids take turns throwing trash in the pond. Have some fish in the pond as well. Explain to the kids the dangers of the trash in the pond. Let them clean it up then they can repeat as they want within the center.
These are just a few suggestions to spark your great teacher creativity. Feel free to leave any other great suggestions in the comment section.
