Tools for educators

Children under the age of six are more vulnerable to toxins in general and contaminated soil in particular for several reasons:

• Their smaller bodies mean that pound for pound, they ingest and inhale more soil than adults.
• The blood brain barrier, which keeps toxins out of the body, is not fully developed until about age six. Learn more about the blood brain barrier at Neuroscience for Kids.
• Young children tend to be exposed to more dirt than older children or adults. They spend more time on the ground, and often put their fingers into their mouths.

Dirt Alert music video starring Tickle Tune Typhoon and Digger the Dog (.WMV)

• The preschool lessons are 30 minutes or less and designed for children ages 2-5. The lesson plans include handouts and materials.
• The lesson plans for elementary school students are short, easy to teach, and include handouts, discussion questions, extended learning activities, and vocabulary. These lessons were also designed to correspond to Washington's Essential Academic Learning Requirements.

There are four lessons for each age group. These lessons cover:

• Dirt exploration – what's in our dirt?
• Hand-washing – fun and educational!
• Nutrition – healthy eating helps protect us against lead and arsenic!

Childcares, preschools and elementary schools in Ecology's Soil Safety Project service areas are eligible to receive hard copies of the lesson plans and video. Please contact us at 206-205-4394. Otherwise, please download and print these materials:

Be Alert In the Dirt: Soil Safety Lesson Plans for Children Ages 2-8

Soil Safety Guidelines Amharic Cambodian Cantonese Korean Russian Somali Spanish Vietnamese

Healthy Gardening in King County

Please No Shoes sign

Please Take Off Shoes poster Amharic Cambodian Cantonese Korean Russian Somali Spanish Vietnamese

Dirt Alert brochure Spanish