3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)
Here's What To Do
1
Explain that the "3Rs" are "reduce, reuse, and recycle," and explain what those words mean.
2
Together with your child, brainstorm items in the home that can be reduced, reused, and recycled.
3
Ask your child why they think reducing, reusing, and recycling can help people, plants, and animals.
4
Draw simple pictures of items you can recycle on a piece of paper. Display the poster near your recycling bin as a reminder.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Sit together as a family in a distraction-free environment.
E
Engage:
- "Reduce means to use less of something, reuse means to find a new purpose for something, and recycle means things that can be made into something new. Do you know what happens to things that we put in our recycling bin?"
- "What things can we recycle? Can you help me draw them on our recycling poster?"
E
Encourage:
- To spark your child's ideas, try giving them an example: "I'll give you an example of something we can reduce, or use less of. When you have a runny nose, you can try using only one tissue instead of taking a bunch from the box. Can you think of something else we can reduce?"
- Help guide your child toward a simple understanding of why reducing, reusing, and recycling can help the environment. For example, if we pick up cans and recycle them, animals won't eat them and get sick.
R
Reflect:
- Does your child seem to understand what items can be recycled?
Not quite ready?
Ask your child to help sort items as trash and recycling.
Ready for more?
Ask your child to brainstorm more ways they could help the environment.
As your child masters this skill...
They will understand one way to protect the environment.