Let’s Talk: Recycling Together
Recycling is a wonderful way to help children notice the different materials we use every day and understand how we can care for our world. As you look at the picture together, talk about the colours of the bins, the names of everyday objects, and where each item belongs. There are no right or wrong answers at first—the aim is simply to encourage conversation and curiosity.
Words you may find useful
- recycle
- rubbish
- plastic
- glass
- metal
- food waste
- sort
- newspaper
- cardboard
- protect
- environment
Grown-Up Guide: Let’s Talk!
What to do
Look at the picture together. Point to one item at a time and encourage your child to name it. Talk about what it is made from and which recycling bin it belongs in.
You say it first (Copy + Add)
- “This is a plastic bottle.”
- “The newspaper goes in the paper bin.”
- “The glass jar goes in the glass bin.”
- “We are sorting our recycling.”
- “Recycling helps to look after our planet.”
👉 Then, depending on the age of your child, add one or more words:
- “The empty plastic bottle goes into the yellow recycling bin.”
- “We rinse the jar before we recycle it.”
- “Different materials go into different bins.”
- “Recycling means we can use these materials again.”
đź’¬ 3 questions
- Which bin does the bottle go in?
- Can you find something made of paper?
- Why do you think recycling is important?
If no answer
You say it first. For example:
“I think this newspaper goes in the paper bin. Can you find another paper item?”
⏱️ 2-minute routine
Collect two or three safe recyclable items from around your home, such as a cereal box, a plastic bottle and a yoghurt pot. Ask your child to sort them into simple groups (paper, plastic or metal) while talking about what each item is made from. This quick game builds vocabulary, observation skills and early understanding of how we can care for the environment together.