One of my favorite ways to get children interested in a topic and make subject matter age-appropriate and relatable is through books. There are a number of great picture books that help children understand what it means to recycle, such as “Why Should I Recycle?” by Jen Green, or the Little Green Books’ series on how to be more eco-friendly. Play is another engaging way to introduce your child to the importance of caring for the environment. You might consider using toys.
There are a number of great eco-friendly toy companies (e.g., Green Toys, Plan Toys, Blue Orange Games, Peaceable Kingdom, Tegu, Begin Again), as well as toys that make recycling part of playtime (e.g., both Plan Toys and Green Toys make a toy recycling truck). Use the toy as a platform to talk to your child about what makes these toys different, and why it is important to think about the environmental impact of the items we purchase.
