Planning for Earth Day
This post originally appeared in Dr. Rachel A. Larimore’s weekly Samara newsletter on April 9, 2024. If you’re interested in receiving these emails, scroll to the bottom of this page to subscribe.
Earth Day is April 22–it’s coming up fast!
Of all of the celebratory days throughout the year, Earth Day is one that aligns well with nature-based education. Yet even on special days like Earth Day we want to keep things as play-based and child-led as possible.
We also want to make sure we're not encouraging a gloom and doom "the world is falling apart" kind of attitude, but more…”we can take action to make our world better–where we are right now!”
In other words, we want to make sure we’re still talking about our relationship with and care for the planet in developmentally appropriate ways.
That being said, there is room for some teacher-led prompts and activities that are related to Earth Day without being overly prescriptive or gloom and doom.
During planning…
…We can brainstorm answers to the question: "What can we do to celebrate the wonders of nature and/or help children take care of their world?"
…We can ask children individually, in small groups, or as a large group: "Next week is Earth Day where everyone in the world celebrates this amazing planet we live on. How do you think we should celebrate? How could we show nature that we care about it?" and see what they come up with.
Here are a few possibilities to kick off the brainstorming:
“Make signs to tell people to stop littering!”
Go on hike to take pictures or draw their favorite things about nature
In small groups, write love letters to the Earth with the prompt “What do you love about nature?”
During large group have every child share their favorite thing about the Earth (& record for everyone to see)
Go on a "That doesn't belong in nature!" hike and find things that don't belong in nature (The adults will want to have a garbage bag and gloves because inevitably children will want to get it out of nature. 😀)
Planting flowers, trees, etc. during a small group or as a whole group in the schoolyard
Make animal homes in the outdoor play area to welcome nature in (bird houses, insect homes, toad houses, etc.)
Another celebration might be to spend the entire day outside! Or go to the local park and have a picnic outside.
As you’re brainstorming, think about what is happening outside in late April. What’s the weather likely to be? What plants and animals will we see? Also think about what the children have been interested in recently. What questions have they been asking? What stories have been coming up again and again in their play?
If you select activities that are based on children’s interest, rooted in their lives and world, and are developmentally appropriate, you’re sure to have a wonderful Earth Day!
Keep changing lives,
Rachel
Rachel A. Larimore, Ph.D., Chief Visionary of Samara Learning
