Zero Waste Week: Sustainable Steps for Little Explorers
- Kate
- Sep 6, 2023
- 2 min read
At Bunnikins Childminding, I believe in instilling eco-conscious values from an early age. Zero Waste Week is the perfect opportunity to teach our little ones about sustainability and responsible living, all while aligning with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
In this blog, we'll explore creative ways to make Zero Waste Week engaging and educational for babies and toddlers.
1. Eco-Friendly Sensory Play: 🌿 Intent - Expressive Arts and Design: Embrace nature-themed sensory play using materials like sand, leaves, and stones. These activities foster creativity and encourage children to explore textures while connecting with the environment.
2. Nature Walks and Trash Collecting: 🚶♀️ Intent - Physical Development: Take nature walks with your little ones and pick up litter along the way. This promotes physical activity and an understanding of taking care of the environment. Use age-appropriate language to discuss why littering is harmful.
3. Sustainable Art Projects: 🎨 Intent - Expressive Arts and Design: Engage in art projects using recycled materials like cardboard, egg cartons, and old magazines. Encourage creativity while teaching the importance of repurposing items to reduce waste.
4. Composting Fun: 🌱 Intent - Understanding the World: Explore composting together. Create a mini compost bin with fruit and vegetable scraps, teaching children about the natural cycle of decay and soil enrichment.
5. Gardening Adventures: 🌻 Intent - Physical Development: Get hands dirty with gardening activities. Plant seeds, water plants, and observe growth. This not only teaches sustainability but also enhances fine motor skills and encourages a love for nature.
6. Storytime with Eco-Books: 📚 Intent - Communication and Language: Read age-appropriate books about sustainability and taking care of our planet. Encourage discussions about the characters' actions and how they relate to reducing waste.
7. Sustainable Snack Times: 🥪 Intent - Personal, Social, and Emotional Development: Use reusable snack containers instead of single-use plastics. Discuss how these choices help protect the environment and show care for the world we live in.
8. Waste Sorting Game: 🗑️ Intent - Understanding the World: Create a waste sorting game using pictures of different items. Teach toddlers to differentiate between recyclables and non-recyclables, enhancing their understanding of waste management.
10. Reflecting on Our Actions: 🧐 Intent - Personal, Social, and Emotional Development: Encourage reflection on the week's activities. Use simple language to discuss what they've learned about reducing waste and why it's important.
Zero Waste Week is an excellent opportunity to introduce eco-friendly concepts to babies and toddlers. Through these EYFS-aligned activities, we're not only fostering an understanding of sustainability but also nurturing various aspects of their development - from physical skills to communication and emotional growth. Let's empower our little ones to become responsible stewards of our planet, one sustainable step at a time.
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