CARING FOR THE EARTH


EARTH DAY
Earth Day is a day dedicated to the environmental health of our planet.  It is most often celebrated on April 22th, but some people observe it on the first day of spring.

Earth Day is a great time to discuss with your children the importance of taking care of their environment.  Below are some activities you can do with your children to emphasize caring for our planet.
 
USING RESOURCES WISELY

Encourage your children to turn off lights when they are not needed, to preserve energy.

Recycle grocery bags, or take your own to reuse.
Wear a sweater in the house, so the heat can be set lower on cool days.
Use less water to water lawns, or when taking showers or baths.
Recycle wrapping paper.
Use real plates instead of throw-away plastic or paper plates.
Plant seeds to grow some of your own food or flowers.
Plant a tree to keep our earth green.
Recycle bottles, paper and cans.
   
KEEP OUR EARTH CLEAN

Use litter bags and garbage cans.
Help clean up your neighborhood or backyard.
Never litter, especially on or near water.
Walk or take a bus to local destinations, if possible.
 
MAKING LITTER BAGS

Give your child a small lunch bag.

Have him decorate the bag with pictures of flowers, trees and animals.
Open up the bag and bend the top down 1”.
Then, punch two holes on one side at the top.
Loop a piece of string or ribbon through the two holes and tie.
Show your child how to hang their litter bag in your car.
Remind them that all car litter should go in the litter bag.

 
RECYCLE BASKETS
Set out three baskets or boxes.
Label one, bottles; one cans and one paper.
Let your child help you sort your recycles.
 
ART RECYCLE BOX

Keep a box with your art supplies.
Put in scraps of left over projects, unused paper, and cardboard.
Stickers you get in the mail.
Puzzle pieces, you would normally throw away.
Small boxes, etc.
Let your child use the materials in the box to create art collages.
  
 
EARTH DAY PICTURES
Set out paper and crayons or marking pens.
Let your child make a picture for Earth Day.
They may want to do one titled, “I Love The Earth”.
Or they may want to do one titled, “Don’t Be A Litter Bug”
 
EARTH DAY TREATS
Try one or more of these fun ideas at snacktime.
Earth Cookies:  Make or purchase round cookies.  Let your children help spread them with green and blue frosting.
Bird Nests:  Combine crunchy Chinese noodles with mayonnaise, and form the mixture into “nests.”  Add melon balls for eggs.
Nature’s Bounty:  Let your children snack on a variety of foods that come directly from nature, such as apple slices, orange segments, fresh berries, and sunflower seeds.
 
 
EARTH DAY SONGS – Can be found at the Music Station.