Earth Day is over but in many ways it isn’t. We really need to celebrate Earth Day in some ways every day.

We all need to figure out ways we want to celebrate Earth Day. We also need to figure out ways that our children can celebrate Earth Day. This is even a bit more challenging.

We need to be able to talk with our kids about this celebration. For sure we need to couple this discussion with suggestions of ways a child can really help with keeping the earth healthy.

I know people who have put a lot of effort into thinking about this. It isn’t as if they all come up with ideas. I expect that the reader will also have some ideas especially after we throw out a few suggestions.

• Don’t let the water run while you are brushing your teeth

Water is not something that we should waste. It is easy to teach your child that she is helping with Earth Day by turning the water off until she really needs it at the end of brushing her teeth.

• Reduce food waste

This is worth discussing. Americans waste up to 40 percent of our food. Teach your child to not take any more food than he can eat. It is easier to save food for the next meal if it has not been on anyone’s plate.

• Learn about composting

Food scraps don’t belong in the trash. They can enrich the soil. Have a separate pail that you can put food scraps in. You can put these scraps in a corner of the yard and turn it every few days. In a couple of weeks you have great fertilizer. A child, at least an older child, can help with this.

• Plant a garden

When you plant a garden, flowers with nectar are important for insects like butterflies and all the pollinators such as birds. The plants look great and are exciting for your child to see the seeds come up so quickly after she plants them.

• Think carefully before you order at a restaurant

It is easy for your child to order too much food at a restaurant. Obviously, that is not a problem now when all the places are closed. But when things open up, talk with your child to encourage him to order just what he can eat and not waste anything. (Remember, you are a model for not over ordering.) Have some kind of a reward if he orders moderately so he can see the value.

• Talk with your child about the impact of plastic on the environment

Many times we expect our children to be careful about things like plastic without ever explaining to them what the problem is. Plastic is a major problem as it fills the oceans and has an incredibly long life. Talk together and see if you and your child can become better about how we use plastic. Your child even needs to learn what is plastic. That bottle of pop he just had was made out of plastic.

• Don’t take too long in the shower

Just as we discussed about running water when you are brushing your teeth is wasteful, so is taking long showers. Maybe you can figure out two songs for your child to listen to while she showers and then be done.

• Ask your child for one way she can help the environment

You may be surprised what good ideas she has.

Talking about saving the earth is an important topic. The only way your child learns ways to do this when he or she is young is by talking with you. You are the teacher about Earth Day.

You are important to talk about saving the Earth and to demonstrate ways to save the earth … one more responsibility that shows that you are your child’s first teacher.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which publishes newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents. To reach interim First Teacher Executive Director Patty Waite, email patty@firstteacher.org or call 360-681-2250.