Going green is very educational for preschoolers, especially when they are able to see the life cycle unfold in front of their eyes through the planting of seeds or seedlings. You don't have to wait for spring to get a selection of seeds that can be planted and tended to even by a child as young as 3 or 4 years old. Many common household foods will sprout beautiful plants. Although they won't sprout edible foods like the summer garden will, they nevertheless teach your preschooler an early lesson on sustainability, or the ability to live through one's own activities. Help your youngster have an indoor garden by planting the seed from an avocado, the top of a pineapple, or sweet or white potato. The potatoes don't even need soil. Just poke several toothpicks into the potato and set it in a small jar with water covering about one-third of the potato. Set in the sun and watch nature take its course.
Teach them to turn off the water when they're brushing their teeth and to use less water when taking their nightly bath. Let them see you turning off lights when you exit a room, and they'll turn them off too. Encourage them to pour an unfinished glass of water into the dog's bowl or on a plant instead of throwing it down the drain. Encourage the responsible use of water at all times. Teach your child to collect water during a rainstorm and later use it to water plants in the yard. Discourage the use of toys that rely on water such as water balloons, water cannons and guns. Make it a learning opportunity by always asking them why these kinds of acts are important.
Children learn and model the behavior of adults. Let your children see you recycling paper, cans and bottles and get them involved in separating recyclables. This is an excellent opportunity to talk to your preschooler about recycling and reusing.