Raising children’s environmental awareness

Biodiversity, climate change, recovery, preservation of natural resources… these are subjects that also interest children. A green daycare center is one that integrates an eco-responsible approach to sustainable development and respect for the environment into its educational program.

In addition to informing educators about a host of environmental issues, and conveying values of cooperation, sharing and solidarity to others, “Ma garderie est verte!” offers ideas for activities designed to help children become responsible, environmentally aware citizens.

Here are a few ecology-related activities that can be integrated into your daycare program:

Emotional development :

• be responsible for watering a plant,
• offer a gift that the child has made himself,
• be the “green trainee” responsible for depositing reusable materials in the recycling bin or turning off the lights when leaving the premises,
• enjoy an apple pie made with apples collected as a group.

Social development :

• bring from home and share recyclable items to be used in a DIY activity,
• give clothes that no longer fit to a smaller friend,
• wear a green sweater for green day at daycare,
• Take off your shoes when you arrive at the daycare center, to avoid dragging dust and contaminants in from outside.

Motor development :

• enjoy painting outside simply with water,
• brush your teeth and turn off the tap,
• at siesta time, relax by listening to noises you don’t normally pay attention to,
• put on rain boots to go outside, even if it’s raining.

Language development :

• Imitate animal calls,
• Learn the names of birds living near the daycare,
• Obtain figurines or puppets representing dinosaurs, birds, animals, etc.
• animals, farm characters, etc.
• Go to the library and bring back books on the weather, winter sports
• volcanoes, fish, etc.

Cognitive development :

• Take part in making a herbarium,
• Observe the detail of a flower or insect with a magnifying glass,
• Learn to separate recyclable materials from those that should go in the garbage can,
• Associate clothing images with a season.

It’s a well-known fact that children learn by imitation

As adult guides to children, we can set an example and encourage them to make eco-responsible choices, and give them the desire to play their part in preserving our planet.

No gesture is too small, especially when efforts are made as a community and everyone contributes.