How to Teach Children About Water Pollution

Today pollution is a front-page issue. Teaching children about the effects of water pollution is important. Educators and parents can teach children about water pollution using hands-on experiments and by taking the children to environmental centers to discuss this ongoing problem.

Instructions

1. Begin the unit about water pollution by introducing the students to the water cycle. Children should understand this concept before moving on the water pollution. Create a graph or diagram that illustrates how the water cycle works.

2. Call your local university and ask a science professor to speak to your class about water pollution. Children can become more excited about a topic when a professional from that field comes to cover the content.

3. Set up a field trip with your local environmental center for the children to do some experiments and see the actual effects of water pollution. Ask that the environmental center make the lesson age-appropriate yet challenging. The children can show high interest if they understand why and how they can make a difference with the problem in our world.

4. Ask the children to write letters or contact the EPA, also known as the Environmental Protection Agency, to investigate the most problematic areas of water pollution.

5. Plan a unit on how water pollution has direct effects on plants. Instruct the children to plan their own investigations and help them along. The children then can discuss their findings.

Resources

• Visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website to learn more about our country's efforts in fighting water pollution.