National Skip the Straw Day - post

National Skip the Straw Day is on February 26 and is a reminder to people to stop using straws in their drinks to combat plastic pollution and help the environment.  What makes plastic straws unique is that for the vast majority of people, they are not necessary. What’s more, sustainable, ocean-friendly alternatives are available.

Using less plastic is even more effective than properly disposing of plastic waste to prevent it from becoming litter. That's why National Skip the Straw Day exists. Consider a more eco-friendly option if you need a straw to drink or simply prefer to do so. Straws made of metal, paper, glass, silicone, or bamboo are all viable alternatives.

This is a great opportunity to teach children about conservation and pollution. Here are a few tips to use when discussing with children.

• Inform children why we need the world’s oceans and how damaging plastic waste can be to the water and ocean animals.
• Picture books introduce the visual concept of pollution so young children understand why it’s bad for anything that lives in the ocean. 
• Something as simple as pointing out plastic objects around the room demonstrates how much people rely on plastic. Kids might otherwise not recognize plastic in their lunch boxes, toys, houses, and classrooms. Ending the lesson by talking about how it could all end up as ocean pollution will drive home the magnitude of the problem.

ChildCareEd offers several training courses to support educators in their work with young children. Check out our list of courses approved in your state to see how ChildCareEd can help you with your professional development needs.