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I always love it when my girls learn about recycling in preschool. Since birth they have seen us wash out cans and bottles and place them along with the newspaper in the recycling container. Yet, the light bulb always goes off in their little minds when the teacher shows pictures and explains how certain items can be collected and reused. So for the next few months I will have a helper excited about recycling everything! She is on the watch for us to finish with something that can be recycled. I have always seen it as my job to keep them excited about their efforts. We even visited the recycling plant to see how everyone's small household items come together to make a big difference.

Taking care of our world is an important concept and helps toddlers give value to people, animals and our surroundings -- a good lesson for the sometimes self-absorbed preschooler (and adults for that matter). Regardless of your age, it feels good to be responsible and help out. There are several activities going on in the area that can give your family some ideas for assisting in the recycling efforts:

• Louisiana's Earth Day is Sunday, April 20 from noon until. The downtown festivities include an All Species parade, music, educational information about conservation and much more. We have always enjoyed this event, but this year's schedule looks better than ever. earthdaybr.org

• Runnels Elementary School Earth Club is collecting used CROCS to send to Soles United, a company that makes and gives recycled footwear to communities in need around the world. You can drop off used CROCS at 17255 South Harrells Ferry Rd.

• If you are up for a challenge check out bkfk.com and see the design squad trash-to-treasure competition. Maybe your child will come up with the winning invention made from disregarded items.

My daughter's Girl Scout troop always says, "A girl scout always leaves a place better than she found it." Maybe that should be our motto, too.