Recycling Helper
Here's What To Do
When it's time to clean up trash and recycling, ask your child for help.
Show your child the item, and ask whether it's trash or recycling. Talk about what materials can be recycled in your community, and what happens when you recycle something.
If the item isn't sharp or breakable, ask your child to place the item in the trash or recycling bin. Remind them not to touch the other things in the bin.
Thank your child for being such a great helper!
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Get down on your child's level, and ask them for help.
Engage:
- "Let's see if this bottle is the right kind of plastic to be recycled. See the number 1 right here, inside this triangle? That means we can recycle it. Put it in the recycling bin please."
- "Can you put this cereal box in the recycling? It's made out of cardboard. When it's recycled, it can be turned into a new cardboard box!"
Encourage:
- Encourage your child to be a helper by telling them how you appreciate them contributing to the family chores.
- "Good guess, but the tissue can't be recycled. Only paper like you draw on, or cardboard like what boxes are made out of can be recycled. Can you put the tissue in the trash? Do you see any paper or cardboard we could recycle instead?"
Reflect:
- Ask your child how they feel when they help the family.
Not quite ready?
If your child has difficulty sorting trash and recycling, encourage them to bring items to you so you can sort. They will still feel like a great helper.
Ready for more?
Encourage your child to participate in cleaning up your home, the playground, and their classroom.
As your child masters this skill...
They will participate in recycling with an adult's help.