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‘Mother Earth’ teaches children about recycling
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Neighbors | Emily Gianetti.Children listened closely as Peg Flynn read "Dear Children of the Earth" to the young audience.
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Ethan and Maggie Matyas were all smiles as they decorated their crafts during the library event.
By EMILY GIANETTI
Children got a visit from “Mother Earth” on Aug. 2 at the Canfield library as part of the library’s summer reading program. The Mahoning County Green Team organized the visit and Mother Earth was actually Green Team educator Peg Flynn. She read the kids “Dear Children of the Earth,” a book about the responsibilities each person has in taking care of the environment.
Afterward, children decorated flowers made from recycled milk bottle caps and card stock. It taught them that not only could things be recycled, they could be reused for completely new and different purposes.
“If they start young, then they’ll get into a habit to do it the rest of their lives,” said Flynn, “It’s great to watch their excitement and know they’re absorbing what you’re telling them.”
The Green Team focuses on education throughout the school year as well. They visit classrooms, bringing programs like “History of Trash,” where students learn about how humans have changed the environment over thousands of years, and “Green Team Bingo,” all to teach kids how to live in an eco-conscious way.
For more information, visit www.mahoningcountyoh.gov/tabid/773/default.aspx.