Practicing Conservation in Preschool

Conservation can be an abstract concept for preschoolers, they haven't had a lot of experience with the world around them, and it can be difficult to understand why they might need to save water or electricity.  There are some things that you can work on in the classroom to help children understand conservation practices and why they are important.

• Save paper scraps in a basket for children to use for cutting or collage projects
• Turn off the lights when you leave the room, or leave the lights of during certain parts of the day and enjoy natural lighting
• Use dry erase boards instead of printer paper
• Set up recycling bins and encourage families to bring in recyclables so the children can sort them. Then take a field trip to the local recycling center
• Start composting organic materials from lunches and snacks

These are all simple activities that children can participate in daily and that will have a direct effect on their lives. They are also activities that can be a part of your regular routine, and help children feel more responsible for their classroom and their environment.