As we continue our series on “Sustainability in Your Childminding Home,” we would now like to share information on how you can help children understand the importance of recycling. We have also compiled some fantastic links to creative upcycling ideas, including contributions from fellow childminders.
Every product we create consumes natural resources, and the growing demand for these resources is increasing the pressure on our planet. Therefore, it is crucial that we try to minimise waste and recycle whenever possible.
We will begin by sharing a great idea from your fellow childminder, Jackie:
“We put a tray on the table at snack time for leftover food and waste, like yogurt pots, plastic wrappers etc. When we are cleaning up, we wash the yogurt pots and then sort the tray into composting/recycling/landfill. It takes some repetition but it’s very funny and rewarding watching the children discuss what’s what as they become the experts. It’s also a magical moment when we get our own compost.”
Childminder Rebecca has shared the link to her Instagram page little.wonders.play where she shares a wealth of inspiring play ideas.
Rebecca has a special highlight on her page dedicated to sustainable play concepts. The image above is from Rebecca’s collection, aptly named “Thinking Inside the Box.” Her Instagram page is full of creative activities such as the *Peek-a-Boo Family Board*, *DIY Heart Stamps*, *Chill Out Fort*, and much more.
Here are links to some other useful resources:
Teaching children about recycling – explore some engaging activities that might make recycling more enjoyable for the children you mind.
Best out of waste – eco DIYs – Upcycling Ideas & Projects (youtube.com)-Great ideas to upcycle plastic bottles and more.
The three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle | Happy Learning ♻️ ♻️ ♻️ (youtube.com) – explore the three Rs: reuse, recycle, and reduce, and discover how we can apply them in our daily lives.
The Childminding Ireland Upcycling Challenge
Recycling is a wonderful way to inspire creativity and therefore, we would like you and the children you mind to get involved in the Childminding Ireland Upcycling Challenge. Whether it’s turning a cardboard box into a toy car, making a bird feeder out of a milk carton, or creating art from old magazines, simply choose an item that would otherwise be discarded and transform it into something useful or artistic.
To take part in the Upcycling Challenge simply share your creations with us by emailing your photos and the steps you took to create them to
Thank you for helping to inspire the next generation to think creatively about waste and sustainability.