How to teach children to respect school facilities
How can children be taught to respect school facilities? How can we educate them to care for their surroundings?
The upkeep of school facilities has a positive impact on the students themselves. However, caring for these facilities also requires the involvement of everyone who directly uses these spaces. Schools are places that emphasize the importance of coexistence, values education, knowledge and practical training. How can we teach children and teenagers to take care of the facilities of their schools?
1. Respect for the cleaning staff
Respect is a value that, in the field of education, applies not only to teachers but also to the many other professionals who form part of the school’s daily life. The work carried out by those who handle cleaning tasks is essential for the common good. For this reason, parents can also teach their children how important all professions are.
2. Care and maintenance of school materials: order and organization
Cleanliness is a value closely linked to order and organization. In the school environment, each student contributes to maintaining the space when they follow the rules that govern coexistence at the school. But, in addition, students can also take responsibility, day after day, for the proper use of school materials: books, stationery products, backpack and other resources within their reach. This learning about responsibility also carries over beyond this point (and applies to caring for the facilities).
3. Encouraging cleanliness (even when the school has a good cleaning service)
The cleaning service is key in the school. However, cleanliness is a collective task. That is, even if there are professionals dedicated to it, each person influences, through their actions, the maintenance of harmony and the care and upkeep of the facilities. This is one of the lessons students should be reminded of frequently. Something as basic as putting waste in the bin is key in the classroom. Likewise, taking care of the furniture used every day, the desk and the chair, is also a basic pillar.
4. Promoting cleanliness in the school playground
Cleanliness is an essential factor in school facilities and also in another area that becomes a meeting point during break time: the playground. Besides enjoying the games and activities that take place in this space, it is essential to respect the environment.
Ultimately, it is fundamental to respect the available resources (because they are not infinite). Even when children live in a context of opportunity and abundance, it is essential to teach the conscious and responsible use of furniture, available resources and the environment.
