Yesterday, I attended a presentation by a commercial publisher for a preK curriculum. It was the sort of “cookie cutter” package that takes the creativity out of teaching and assumes anyone can be a teacher by following the script. The presenter held up a card of a child in a park throwing away trash in a receptacle. The card had printed questions on the back for the teacher to ask the children. I asked the presenter, “Where is the recycling bin?”. Her response, “That is more of an advanced skill.” The teachers shook their heads in disbelief. In my opinion, recycling should be taught from the start.

My children, including my two year old son, know the difference between trash, recycling, and compost, as this is been part of our daily routines. In addition, my children make weekly trips to the recycling center with me. I have yet to include them in putting the items in the bins at the recycling center. I have been hesitant, because our recycling is not always the cleanest and occasionally there are broken bottles or sharp tin can lids. However, I look forward to their help when they are older. Recycling is the least we can do to minimize the impact of our trash on the earth, and I want my children to be lifelong recyclers. In fact, my daughter once asked me why her grandmother didn’t recycle. Good question……care to respond Grandma?

If you are looking for local resources on recycling, visit Earth 911. Just type in your zip code, and you will find the location of recycling centers, community activities, and games for children.