Planting the Seeds of Tomorrow: Earth Week in the Classroom!
Earth Week is one of our favorite times of the year! It’s a chance to step back and marvel at the magic right beneath our feet. For toddlers, "saving the earth" isn't an abstract concept—it’s a hands-on adventure involving wiggly worms, velvety flower petals, and, of course, plenty of "good" dirt.
Why We Get Dirty: The Science of Nature Play
It turns out that letting kids roam the garden and play in the soil isn't just fun—it's essential for their development. Research consistently shows that exposure to natural environments boosts the immune system and improves emotional well-being.
A recent study highlighted by the Children & Nature Network found that "rewilding" play areas with natural soil and plants actually strengthens a child's microbiome and immune signaling. Beyond the physical benefits, gardening helps toddlers develop "nature-friendly" attitudes and a sense of wonder that lasts a lifetime. When they touch the soil and smell the herbs in our Roosevelt Elementary garden plot, they aren't just playing; they’re becoming little scientists!
We love our bugs — especially ladybugs!
Join Our Recycling Mission!
Part of being a "steward of the earth" is learning that "away" is a real place. We are proud to continue our partnership with TerraCycle to recycle items that the city’s blue bins can’t handle.
We are currently collecting:
Oral Care Waste: Used toothbrushes, empty toothpaste tubes, and floss containers.
Beauty Packaging: Empty skin care, hair care, and cosmetic containers.
Kids' Snack Pouches: All brands of squeezable food and drink pouches (please ensure they are empty!).
Feel free to drop these off in our designated collection bins at the school!
Don’t forget to ‘recycle’ your food scraps in a worm or compost bin! Our worms love our cooking station leftovers, yum!
Getting up close and personal in our herb planter.
3 Toddler-Friendly Earth Week Projects for Home
Want to keep the momentum going this weekend? Here are three simple, low-prep activities to celebrate Earth Week with your little one:
1. The "Egg-cellent" Seedling Starter Since we are planting seedlings in class, try this at home!
The Activity: Save your empty cardboard egg cartons. Fill each cell with a little soil and let your toddler "poke" a seed (beans or peas grow fast and are great for impatient toddlers!) into the dirt.
The Lesson: This practices fine motor skills and teaches the responsibility of giving a living thing water and sunlight every day.
2. Metamorphosis "Special Visitor" Prep We have some very hungry caterpillars arriving in our classroom soon!
The Activity: Go on a "Bug Hunt" in your backyard or a local park. Look under safe rocks or leaves for roly-polies or beetles.
The Lesson: Use a magnifying glass to observe how they move. Talk about how every creature—no matter how small—has a job to do in nature’s cycle.
3. Sensory Herb "Touch & Taste" Tray Mirroring our trips to the Roosevelt garden, create a sensory experience on your kitchen table.
The Activity: Place a few different fresh herbs (mint, rosemary, basil) on a tray. Let your child crumble them in their hands, smell the different scents, and even take a tiny taste.
The Lesson: This connects them to where their food comes from and encourages them to be brave explorers of the natural world.
More Photos: Garden Days & Butterfly Wings!
Check out these photos from our trip to the Roosevelt Elementary Garden! We can't wait to see the kids' faces as they explore our plot, taste what’s growing, and hunt for those elusive garden bugs.
The Edible Garden is simply blooming with activity!
What’d you find?
Let’s see what there is to taste, see, smell, and feel in the edible garden!
Thank you for helping us grow a greener, kinder future!