Most of us didn’t start to learn the importance of conservation until we were adults: the idea of conservation was still new when we were children, and climate change was practically unheard of. But now that we understand its importance, we need to begin teaching children about conservation early. One way to start is to build a compost pile in your outdoor play area. And what better time to do so than the fall, when you can find leaves and twigs to add to the compost bin in such abundance.
Here are some tips on building a compost bin on your preschool playground:
- Choose an out-of-the-way location. If you have an outdoor garden, it’s a great idea to put the compost bin nearby. It is also helpful if it is near a water source.
- DON’T USE: meat, fat, bones, milk, cheese, oils, pet droppings or diseased plants.
- DO USE: leaves, pine needles, newspaper, sawdust, grass clippings, and coffee grounds.
- Build the bin in layers, topping each layer off with some soil and then watering it.
- Have the children pick up stray worms in your outdoor play area and add them to the compost bin, to help break down the compost!
For other ideas on what the children can learn on the preschool playground, visit The Adventurous Child.
We strive to create fun and informative content that will help young children learn and grow. However, it's important to keep in mind that all activities should be performed under the supervision of an adult. The Adventurous Child website is intended to serve as a reference and guidance for educational activities, and it is ultimately the responsibility of the parent, guardian, and/or educator to determine the appropriateness of the activity for their child’s age and maturity level. Thank you for your understanding and support!
