Children and Earth Month

April is Earth Month! This special month began over 50 years ago in 1970. The first Earth Day (April 22, 1970) was a powerful motivator for environmental concern. Today, let’s talk about some environmental activities for children and Earth Month that can be carried into any other month of the year! 

What Are Earth Day and Earth Month?

As we near the end of Earth Month 2021, let’s take some time to reflect on its history. The environment is all of our concern. So it just makes sense to talk about children and Earth Month.

According to the accepted wisdom of the Earth Day Network, the environmental movement officially began in 1970. In that year, April 22 was the first ever Earth Day. Led by Gaylord Nelson, a Wisconsin senator, this was a national day of environmental awareness. According to records, twenty-million people attended the event. The goal was to raise awareness of the fact that our planet’s resources are not limitless. In fact, we should begin to conserve and prepare for the inevitable day when they run out.

This powerful message still holds true today. Ultimately, Earth Day led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. It is also directly responsible for the passage of Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. Since then, Earth Day has been extended for the entire month of April. 

Children and Earth Month 

Beyond April, environmental awareness is something that should capture kids’ imaginations all year long. We’ve talked about various seasonal issues in the past, such as spring allergies and how to stay warm during the winter. Today, let’s look beyond the weather and toward the future instead. For the rest of today’s blog, we’ll go over some ideas related to children and Earth Month. These tips can help protect our planet all year long!

We’re Doing Our Part!

Taking care of the planet can be done in simple steps that are manageable for our kids. In fact, it can start with some fairly small actions. Here are just a few:

• Throw away trash when you see it. That means any litter alongside the roads or even on our precious beaches. But be sure to follow posted safety rules if you’re heading near the water or by traffic!
• Don’t forget to recycle. Some types of garbage, like metals, plastics and cardboard can be reused. The earth will thank you for eliminating this major source of waste.
• Plant a garden and compost. Instead of sending a lot of your garbage to a landfill, you can actually compost it and put it to work growing food! Kids can assist in growing a compost pile.
• Turn off any lights or electronics when leaving the room. Many people are surprised to learn how much energy is wasted simply by neglect. Besides, turning off devices when they are not in use can save a lot of money on your energy bill as well!
• Turn off the faucet when it is not in use. Water waste can be a serious problem. Did you know that you typically waste nearly five gallons of water every day, simply by leaving the water on while you brush your teeth? It’s true! Fortunately, this is easy to fix. 

To learn more, visit EarthDay.org.