Composting Food Scraps

Composting teaches children about natural cycles and their role in caring for the Earth.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Practical Life
• Learning area: Care of Environment
• Level: Ages 4-6

Objectives

• Learn composting basics
• Understand natural cycles
• Build environmental awareness

Materials

• Compost bin or pile
• Food scrap container
• List of compostable items

Instructions

1. Collect food scraps in container. 2. Know what can be composted (fruits, vegetables, eggshells). 3. Know what cannot (meat, dairy). 4. Carry container to compost. 5. Empty scraps. 6. Cover with dry material if needed. 7. Wash and return container.

Educator tip

Keep a simple poster showing what goes in compost. Connect to garden use of finished compost.

Assessment

Child sorts compostable materials and maintains compost bin.

More from Practical Life

• Spreading with a Knife
• Cutting Soft Foods with a Knife
• Peeling Vegetables with a Peeler
• Grating Cheese
• Squeezing Citrus
• Making a Simple Salad
• Making a Sandwich
• Mixing Batter