Supporting young children as they learn includes helping them develop kindergarten readiness and an appreciation for the world in which they live. The fall seems to be a special time for connecting to nature with all the colors, sounds, textures and changes. Learning to take care of the environment is part of the package, too.
In this series of 10 posts on fall nature activities, #9 asks the question, “Is it fine?” Is it fine to throw trash on the ground? Children are often better than adults at picking up bits of paper or other items and putting them in the garbage. (I bet more than a few of us have had to rescue the car keys from the trash.)
Kids can also learn about recycling. During the fall, leaves and garden debris can go into the compost pile.
Reusing is fine for the environment. This month many communities are participating in National Costume Swap Day where you can drop off costumes that your family no longer needs and find other ones.
On the weekend, kids can help take the recycling to the depot. Some areas return a few cents for refundable bottles. It doesn’t take very many bottles to have enough money for a little treat. What else can kids do to help nature?