Raising a “green generation”

President and Founder of Little Sprouts, Inc., Susan Leger-Ferraro, wrote an article in the May/June 2010 Child Care Exchange magazine about raising a “green generation.” She states, “To truly impact change, our future generations must carry the torch of transformation. To ensure success we need to begin the practices with the fertile minds of young children in early education.”

She believes that schools should do their best to lead example in the day-to-day operations and overall culture.

In the article, Leger-Ferraro gives some pointers on being an example:

• Water: Educate children to keep the water flow to a pencil thin stream when using the sink; have them sing their ABCs while washing their hands in order to maintain a time limit.
  
• Energy: Children and staff should be reminded to turn off lights in unused rooms. All electrical appliances should be shut down at the end of the day as well.
  
• Waste: Recycle used paper. You can also reuse the paper as scrap paper for memos or cut it up into small pieces for the classrooms to use for collages or classroom activities.
  
• Food: In order to prevent waste, food should be portioned between the classrooms based on daily attendance. Pay attention to portion sizes.
  
• Transportation: When feasible, offer transportation to families. Not only will it provide beneficial service, but it could reduce overall gas use and emissions.
  
• Recycling: Plastic bowls/plates should be used instead of Styrofoam. All teachers should have recycling bins in their classrooms. Teachers should be encouraged to bring and use reusable water bottles to work.
  
• Materials: Buy only nontoxic art supplies, while also restricting the use of aerosol sprays and chlorine bleach. Monitor the air for carbon mon-oxide.