Simple Ideas to Celebrate Earth Day with Your Toddler!

Montessori education is founded on the belief that children are naturally curious and driven to learn, and that they learn best through hands-on experiences. The Montessori method emphasizes practical life skills, sensory exploration, and respect for the environment, all of which can be applied to Earth Day activities with toddlers.

One of the core Montessori principles is that toddlers should have the freedom to explore and learn at their own pace, guided by their interests and abilities. This principle can be applied to Earth Day activities by allowing toddlers to explore nature in their own way, whether that means picking up sticks, examining rocks, or watching bugs crawl.

Another key Montessori principle is that toddlers learn best through concrete, sensory experiences. This means that Earth Day activities with toddlers should involve lots of opportunities for touching, smelling, and exploring the natural world. For example, a toddler might enjoy feeling the texture of leaves, smelling flowers, or listening to the sound of birds.

Finally, the Montessori method emphasizes the importance of instilling a sense of respect for the environment in children. This means teaching them to treat the earth with care and kindness, and to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

1. Create art from nature: Gather leaves, sticks, and other natural materials, and use them to create art with your toddler. You can make collages, sculptures, or even use natural materials to dye fabric or paper.
2. Read books about the world: Our First Library set has many wonderful board books that talk about the world and the people and animals that live within it. Reading these books with your toddler is a great way to spark their curiosity and inspire them to collaborate and contribute.

1. Plant a garden: Toddlers love getting their hands dirty, and planting a garden is a great way to teach them about the importance of growing food and caring for plants and celebrate Earth Day. You can start with simple plants like herbs or tomatoes, and involve your toddler in the planting and watering process.
2. Go on a nature walk: Take a walk with your toddler in a nearby park or nature reserve with our Scavenger Hunt Activity Cards from our Outdoor Learning Set, and encourage them to explore and discover the world around them. Point out different plants and animals, and ask your toddler questions about what they see and hear.
3. Reduce, reuse, recycle: Teach your toddler about the importance of reducing waste by reusing and recycling materials. Set up a recycling bin in your home, and involve your toddler in sorting and separating materials. Celebrate with each contribution!

Celebrating Earth Day provides a wonderful opportunity for parents to introduce their toddlers to the importance of caring for the planet. 

By embracing Montessori principles, parents can create a learning environment that encourages exploration, sensory experiences, and respect for the environment. With simple yet engaging activities like planting a garden, going on a nature walk, creating art from nature, and reading books, parents can help their children understand the value of reducing waste and treating the earth with kindness. By teaching our toddlers to appreciate and care for the environment, we can empower them to become responsible and mindful stewards of our planet in the years to come.

1. Clean up the park or beach: Take your toddler to a local park or beach and pick up litter together. This activity teaches them about the importance of keeping our environment clean and protecting wildlife.
2. Make bird feeders: Create homemade bird feeders with your toddler using recycled materials like toilet paper rolls, milk cartons, or plastic bottles. Hang them in your backyard and observe the different bird species that visit.
3. Learn about composting: Teach your toddler about composting by setting up a small compost bin in your backyard or balcony. Involve them in adding food scraps and other organic materials, and observe how they break down over time.
4. Make recycled crafts: Collect materials like cardboard boxes, egg cartons, and paper rolls, and use them to make fun crafts with your toddler. This activity teaches them about the importance of reusing materials and being creative.
5. Turn off lights: Teach your toddler about conserving energy by turning off lights and unplugging electronics when they're not in use. Make it a game by seeing how many lights you can turn off together, and explain how this helps to reduce carbon emissions.