Re: earth day for toddlers. They're not ready for that
Posted by michelle on 4/22/08
hi I think all the ideas are great. if possible get them outside and
HUG A TREE.
TALK about why trees are important. I have a 19 m/o and he loves to
look at trees, and also right now the buds are starting. there is alot
to talk about.On 4/21/08, Marilyn B wrote:
> On 4/14/08, Sarah wrote:
>> On 4/14/08, Marilyn B. wrote:
>>> If children are old enough to be consumers, thereby generating
>>> solid waste, and if they can understand simple words such as
>>> trash, garbage truck, etc., they're ready to learn to be
>>> environmentally responsible. Making an edible landfill will be a
>>> fun way to teach young ones where garbage goes after it's picked
>>> up from the curb.
>>
>> I agree that the activity you posted is cute and will be pleasing to
>> do with children of toddler age. I disagree that it will be
>> meaningful to them in any way other than as an enjoyable activity
>> and a yummy snack.
>>
>> Toddlers and 2.5 year olds are not developmentally able to
>> understand the symbolism of "two 1 inch pieces of licorice 'whips'
>> to represent leachate collection pipes," or cookie crumbs that
>> represent the "3 ft. of clay placed in the bottom of a cell to
>> prevent fluids from seeping out."
>>
>> They will spoon in then eat "1 teaspoon fruit cereal" but they are
>> not developmentally ready to understand that the fruit cereal is
>> "to represent organic waste" - they will simply eat it and not see
>> the connection to GARBAGE.
>>
>> When they "Punch in 2 straws to represent Methane gas collectors"
>> they will simply be punching in 2 straws, IF they can wait that long
>> to eat the yummy snakc they've helped assemble.
>>
>>
>> Children at this age need concrete experiences and not highly
>> symbolic activities that are meaningless to them. Use the edible
>> landfill as a recipe, but let it be just a snack without the
symbolism.
>>
>> For earth day they can sing about a garbage truck, or pick up trash
>> from the classroom floor while singing clean up, or even sing happy
>> earth day to the globe (still meaningless to them, but hey, it will
>> please the adults), then enjoy a nice Happy Earth Day snack with
>> their little community which IS their world.
>>
>> Too often we design activities that are totally without meaning to
>> young children simply to make adults feel good.
>
>
>
> First of all, allow me to apologize for contributing to this thread
> for the second time. Since I picked up on the discussion from the top
> of the threads, I didn't return to the whole chatboard.
>
> I suggested the edible landfill because very young children tend to
> put things in their mouths anyway. Having taught art for many years,
I
> have found that children of this age have few art making skills, so
> one's options are limited. I also have an M.S. in psychology, with a
> specialty in early learning, so I understand developmental stages.
>
> I don't think it's necessary to go into all the details about the
> "leachate collection pipes" and the other terminology. I see nothing
> wrong with having fun with this and providing a yummy snack. I still
> think that children who are old enough to be consumers can start
> learning simple vocabulary and how to be socially responsible.
>
> Many others have given some good advice about meaningful Earth Day
> projects. You may find more at The Imagination Factory, but you'll
> have to sift through them for ones that are appropriate for toddlers.
> Happy Earth Day!
Posts on this thread, including this one
- earth day for toddlers, 4/09/07, by Heather.
- Re: earth day for toddlers, 4/10/07, by Marilyn B..
- Re: Trash Walk, 3/14/08, by Carisa.
- Re: earth day for toddlers, 4/13/08, by Taci.
- Re: earth day for toddlers, 4/13/08, by Taci Z.
- Re: earth day for toddlers. They're not ready for that, 4/13/08, by I think toddlers are too young for Earth Day concepts.
- Re: earth day for toddlers. They're not ready for that, 4/14/08, by Marilyn B..
- Re: earth day for toddlers. They're not ready for that, 4/14/08, by Sarah.
- Re: earth day for toddlers. They're not ready for that, 4/16/08, by Anne.
- Re: earth day for toddlers. They're not ready for that, 4/18/08, by Arlinda Felix.
- Re: earth day for toddlers. They're not ready for that, 4/19/08, by Right..
- Re: earth day for toddlers. They're not ready for that, 4/21/08, by Marilyn B.
- Re: earth day for toddlers. They're not ready for that, 4/22/08, by michelle.
- Re: earth day for toddlers. They're not ready for that, 4/23/08, by Heh heh. Yeah, mixing toddlers with dirt. Unheard of! nfm.
- Re: earth day for toddlers. They're not ready for that, 4/28/08, by Leah.
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