Me and Recycling

Implementation

Begin with a conversation about waste and recycling.

Ask children what they usually do with waste, how they separate it, and what happens when we don’t recycle properly.

Encourage reflection and discussion on what should be done and why recycling is useful.

Creating Recycling Signs

Children create colorful signs to place above the recycling bins in the classroom or play area.

They can draw pictures or symbols for paper, plastic, glass, and organic waste.

Laminate or cover the signs to make them durable and attach them with tape above each section.

The Cork Jar Game

Invite each child to bring a cork from home.

Wrap a jar with colored paper and cover it with tape. Pierce a hole in the cap.

Children take turns placing corks through the hole, which helps develop fine motor skills and patience while practicing turn-taking.

The game also strengthens hand-eye coordination and respect for group rules.

The Sorting Game

Have children color pasta pieces (e.g., penne) using four colors, one for each type of waste.

Paint toilet paper rolls in the same four colors. Once the rolls are dry, glue them onto matching colored bases.

This creates four recycling containers.

Children then sort the colored pasta or other small items into the correct container.

This game supports attention, color association, and the development of categorization skills while reinforcing environmental awareness.