Recycling Sorting

Preschoolers are interested in everything about the world around us. It is important for us as parents and teachers to teach them to be responsible while they are young. Taking care of our earth is as important as anything else that we may do. This simple introduction to recycling will teach preschoolers the importance of reusing the resources that we have. As preschoolers sort the items they have to recycle they will also learn valuable math skills.

What You Need

4 medium sized cardboard boxes
Labels for each box with the word - Paper, Glass, Metal, Plastic
Letter to Parents (see below)
Items to be recycled brought from home.

What To Do

Collect 4 medium sized cardboard boxes that are about the same size. Print labels that say "Paper",  "Metal", and "Plastic". In order to help preschoolers "read" each sign, illustrate each word with something that represents each material. If you do not want to draw a picture, you can attach a sample of each material to the outside of each box. For example, glue a scrap of paper to the outside of the "Paper" box and a piece of plastic to the outside of the "Plastic" box. Attach each sign to the outside of a box and line them up next to each other.

Send a letter home to the preschool parents asking them to send in materials that can be recycled. When you have collected your materials, sit down and talk with the preschoolers about why we want to recycle and what things we can recycle. Tell them what materials should be placed in each box. You may want to wash the items that you have to recycle before participating in this activity. Have each preschooler pick an item and decide which box it should go in.

When you have sorted all your items, include them in your local recycling pick up if one is available or deliver them to the appropriate recycling station.

Letter to Preschool Parents

Dear Preschool Parent,

In our preschool classroom we are learning about the importance of recycling. In order for this preschool lesson to be successful we need your help. Please look around your house for things that can be recycled and collect 3 or 4 things that you were planning on throwing away or recycling and send these items to preschool with your preschooler. In our preschool classroom we are going to practice sorting items that can be recycled.

Some examples of items that can be sent to preschool with your child are:
empty soda cans
empty milk cartons
junk mail
plastic bags
old newspapers
old magazines
aluminum foil
plastic bottles
plastic grocery bags

Thank you for helping us to learn about recycling. Please send your preschoolers recyclable items in by [date].

[Your preschool teacher]

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