Teachers and parents can work together to create a healthier classroom environment for all kids!
Creating a non-toxic classroom environment is crucial for the health and well-being of students because children spend so much time in the classroom and are vulnerable to chemicals and environmental toxins. I’m encouraging teachers and parents to collaborate to ensure the learning space is as safe and healthy as possible. Here are ten actionable tips to help create a non-toxic classroom environment for all children!
Teachers & Parents Can Work Together to Create Healthier Classrooms
Teachers: You do an amazing job of loving, teaching, and empowering our kids. There aren’t enough words to express gratitude to all the amazing teachers who work tirelessly and lead dozens of children daily. So, let me start with a simple but sincere “thank you” to express appreciation for how you support, impact, and educate our little ones (whether they’re teenagers or in TK!).
I recognize that your influence in the classroom is tremendous and in many ways, you may also be limited by district or school policies. In writing this article, I hope it helps you create a healthier classroom for yourself and the big and little ones you teach. Myself and thousands of other parents understand this and appreciate everything you can do to influence these policies whether in your classroom, at your school, or on a wider level. I know many teachers who wish to make healthier swaps in the classroom and I hope this article is enlightening and helps you do just that!
Parents: You work tirelessly to give your children the best you can and it can be overwhelming and challenging to send them out into the world where you have less influence over the products and things they are exposed to. Working with your child’s teacher is the best way to ensure they are in a healthy environment when they’re away from home too!
That said, here are my tips and swaps for creating a non-toxic classroom environment. While much of this is written for teachers, it also requires the support of parents in the classroom. Parents and teachers, by working together, we can address this often-forgotten aspect of our children’s education. Not everyone will be on board, and not every family will prioritize this, but every bit of progress is a step in the right direction!
10 Ways to Create a Non-Toxic Classroom
Here are my tips for transforming any school classroom into a healthier environment for our children. The purpose of this list is to target the major areas of opportunity such as air quality, hand sanitizer usage, screen time, and candy in the classroom — not to focus on the smaller aspects like art supplies that may not entirely be a priority until these more important items have been addressed.
1. Open Doors and Windows for Improved Classroom Ventilation
Whenever possible, open classroom windows to allow fresh air to circulate throughout the classroom. This can help reduce indoor air pollution and provide a healthy oxygen supply for students, helping keep them alert during the school day. Be sure to factor in physical safety and the age of your students; I would be concerned about younger children playing near windows and be mindful of window safety with older children. Be sure to follow your school’s policies and best practices for everyone’s safety (for example, not all schools allow opening windows and some schools have windows that can’t be opened).
In addition to opening the windows during the school day, you can keep the classroom door open before and after school to further circulate the air in your classroom. I’ve seen many of the teachers at our school keep their classroom doors open after school, and I love this because it helps keep the air circulating after a full and busy day! It might seem like keeping the doors open after school is too simple to help in any way, but it’s far more impactful than it looks.
2. Improve Indoor Air Quality With HEPA Air Filters
Poor indoor air quality is one of the biggest threats to anyone’s health, especially a child’s. In addition to opening the windows and leaving the doors open before and after school, another impactful way to improve indoor air quality is to use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and carbon air filters. These can remove dust, allergens, and airborne toxins that may be present in the classroom, helping children breathe cleaner air.
There are a few options for how to get high-quality air filters in the classroom:
- Parents can chip in and buy an air filter for the classroom. For example, with 20 children in a classroom, an AirDoctor 3500 would come out to roughly a $20 contribution per family.
- Parents can loan an air filter to the classroom. I plan to do this for my kids’ classrooms this year.
- Schools can also take advantage of school bulk discounts on air filters.
Note: If you can’t get a HEPA and carbon filter in your classroom, get the best air filter you can afford. While a regular air filter won’t be nearly as effective as the high-quality filters I recommend for classroom use, any standard air filter is better none.
3. Rethink the Use of Harsh Cleaning Products
For obvious reasons, schools often use disinfectants like Clorox and Lysol to clean classrooms. While these might be effective against germs, allergens, bacteria, and viruses, they can trigger respiratory issues and irritate the eyes and sensitive skin. These products can also contain carcinogens, toxic ingredients, and endocrine disruptors, which is exactly what young developing bodies need to avoid.
Let’s be realistic about classroom cleaning products, though: I don’t mind as much if an adult comes into the classroom after school and wipes down surfaces. That seems like a fair middle ground that allows schools to clean their classrooms but minimizes a child’s exposure to the chemicals used.
BUT, an emerging trend that I hear about all across the country (and even in my own kids’ classrooms) is that students from kindergarten and up are being asked to use these products to wipe their desks and surfaces with Clorox and Lysol wipes — when the products themselves indicate they are hazards to human health. For this reason, I have instructed my kids not to use any wipes but the brand I send in, which is usually the soap-based Water Wipes. I don’t mind them wiping down their work surfaces with wet wipes, but they are not to contain alcohol, disinfectants, or other harsh ingredients.
Understandably, classrooms need to be cleaned. There are two ways to address this that would benefit the students and teachers involved (not to mention the janitorial staff!):
- Teachers, parents, and administrators can advocate for using non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaners. For an EPA-registered disinfectant, consider Force of Nature instead (use code GENTLENURSERY40 for 40% off a starter set). I also like clean products like Branch Basics (code GENTLENURSERY) for general cleaning purposes, and this is another product that teachers could place on their wishlist for parents to contribute. If parents or administrators insist on using a household brand name, ask for Clorox peroxide wipes instead of the traditional bleach-based disinfecting wipes.
- Children should not be asked to use harsh chemicals. If switching to non-toxic cleaning products is complex or out of the question, let’s at least leave children out of the equation. Have an adult wipe down the surfaces instead of asking children to use these harsh cleaning products. And air it out every time before children enter the classroom.
4. Minimize the Use of Hand Sanitizers
Schools and teachers alike are being asked to do more with less resources. Expectations are growing yearly, and budgets are often dwindling, so many concessions are made in the classroom to save time and money. At the same time, everyone is living in a post-COVID world, and many people are afraid of getting sick. This is unavoidable.
Enter the hand sanitizer. Convenient and easy, hand sanitizer saves time by eliminating the need to wash hands and provides the illusion of cold and flu prevention.
Not surprisingly, hand sanitizer usage has skyrocketed to as much as 25 times per day in children and nine times per day among adults. Because hand sanitizer contains alcohol, fragrance, and other harsh ingredients that disrupt the skin microbiome and can negatively impact the immune system, this is highly concerning.
Instead of requiring kids to use hand sanitizer multiple times daily, encourage handwashing with soap and water as a safer alternative. Washing with soap and water is equally effective at ridding bacteria as hand sanitizer, and it’s much safer and healthier for our children. When hand sanitizers are necessary, such as on field trips, opt for alcohol- and fragrance-free options.
Instead of hand sanitizer, I carry a travel-sized bottle of Castile soap when I’m out with the kids. At school, I’ve always told my kids’ teachers that they aren’t allowed to use hand sanitizer and should be instructed to wash their hands or use these wipes instead. This has never been a problem for us, starting in preschool.
With a large classroom and several students, I know that hand-washing can slow things down. But considering the harsh ingredients in hand sanitizer and the adverse health effects on the immune system and skin microbiome, it’s worth it.
5. Avoid Synthetic Fragrances in the Classroom
Note: I am highly in favor of schools banning all synthetic fragrances in the classroom!
Classrooms can get smelly, I know. After recess, you welcome the kids back into the classroom, and sometimes they have that “outdoor funk” stench. Or what about the smell of the classroom itself?
I think all teachers struggle with this part of classroom life, and many use plug-ins, air fresheners, and scented products to mask odors in the classroom. But all these products do is mask odors. What’s more, artificial fragrances in air fresheners, candles, plug-ins, and even cleaning supplies and personal care items contain harmful chemicals that are carcinogenic and can disrupt hormones. They are simply unhealthy and kids shouldn’t be exposed to them for hours on end.
To create a healthier classroom environment for teachers and students, avoid synthetic fragrances, air out the classroom as much as possible, and use kid-safe essential oils only when fragrances are needed. Even essential oils can be harmful and shouldn’t be overused, so it’s best to use them sparingly and only as needed. In the best interest of everyone’s health, students and teachers included, I recommend limiting them to one hour per day. Extra bonus points if you run this by the parents in your classroom, too! I would appreciate a heads up about any essential oils being used in the classroom.
Here are a few safer products to consider that are made without synthetic fragrances:
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- Plant Therapy Kid-Safe Essential Oils (use with a waterless diffuser)
- Rowe Casa Organics Room Spray
- Grow Fragrance Room Sprays
- Charcoal odor-absorbing bags
Candles and fragrances are also commonly gifted to teachers, which can pose a challenge in and of itself! Teachers can indicate on their intro email or “My Favorite Things” sheets that they do not use scented or fragranced products. (Note: whenever I see this, I jump for joy!)
6. Please Avoid Giving Out Candy Rewards
Many schools now use candy as a reward system. While we as parents manage only our own children, teachers handle entire classrooms, and keeping multiple students on task can be difficult. Candy is an effective motivator for immediate behavior and performance, and I’m sure that it works exceptionally well among children of all ages.
Using candy as a reward might seem harmless, but it has long-term consequences. Research shows that rewarding children with food can negatively impact their eating habits into adulthood. Children who are rewarded with food are more likely to become emotional eaters and develop a heightened preference for sweet foods. When using candy as a rewards system, we are also teaching our children that they should be externally rewarded for every correct answer or for good behavior.
In addition, candy is unhealthy, often contains artificial dyes and additives, and promotes cavities and unhealthy eating habits. As a parent who strives to be conscious of ingredients, I find it frustrating and troubling that my children are given candy and treats without my approval or knowledge.
Additionally, some children can’t have these treats or aren’t allowed to, which puts them in a position of having to exercise willpower beyond their abilities. Imagine a 7-year-old 1st grader being offered Starburst, Mike & Ike, and Jolly Ranchers in the classroom; if they aren’t allowed these foods at home, what kind of message are they receiving when being offered these treats at school?
The best way to approach this is to offer non-food alternatives such as stickers, pencils, or extra playtime instead when rewards are needed. If treats are necessary, some healthy school snacks are sure to be parent-approved! Teachers: be sure to involve the parents when giving out candy. Perhaps some families would want to send in healthier alternatives or fill up your reward basket with small toys and other goodies.
7. Use Technology Mindfully in the Classroom
There are so many devices at schools nowadays that it’s hard to limit the use of screens and technology in the classroom. However, to create a healthier classroom environment, it’s best to limit the excessive or unnecessary use of electronics as much as possible.
For example, does your classroom need an Alexa? Or is there a way to reduce the amount of TV screen usage? Of course, some of this will be beyond your control because the school requires the use of certain programs or apps. But as far as what is within your control, what can you do to reduce screen exposure for your class?
Excessive screen time can contribute to overstimulation and behavioral issues, and many parents have limits at home on how much screen time a child can have. But what about at school? Does your school overly rely on the use of flat-screen TVs, Chromebooks, and tablet devices? Teachers: can you play a part in reducing this throughout the day?
Please encourage students to be mindful of their technology use. Excessive exposure to blue light from screens can disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to eye strain. It’s also essential to encourage children to keep electronic devices like tablets and smartphones away from their bodies when not in use to help reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs).
And be sure to incorporate more hands-on activities, outdoor play, and group discussions to promote a more balanced learning environment. Extra outdoor time is always good for everyone! Some schools might require admin approval, but helping kids of all ages get the wiggles out outdoors offers kids and teachers many benefits.
8. Introduce Indoor Plants
Certain plants, such as spider plants, peace lilies, and snake plants, can help purify the air by absorbing toxins. They are a great addition to the classroom, promoting a healthier, calming, and more relaxing environment. Plants are so good for our health that even looking at a plant (or pictures of one!) can help calm the nervous system.
Giving younger students the responsibility of watering the plants is an excellent classroom responsibility!
9. Alert Parents When Treats are Brought Into the Classroom
It’s not uncommon for parents to lovingly bring treats such as donuts, cupcakes, pizza, and candy into the classroom for birthdays and other celebrations. Birthdays and holidays should be celebrated, and I am not against a treat now and then on a special day. (In fact, it’s not usually what we eat on occasions like birthdays that are worrisome but rather what we eat on a daily basis that plays a bigger role in our overall health. But I digress…)
However, as parents, it really helps to know when this is happening ahead of time. Some parents will send a text on the classroom text thread, but I’ve noticed it doesn’t always happen. And I’ve been surprised on some days to find out that my kids had pizza for a classmate’s birthday that day when I had sent them in with a homemade lunch. Or that they had donuts first thing in the morning to celebrate a holiday or a birthday.
Teachers can help by instituting a policy of notifying the class before any birthday or celebratory treats are sent into the classroom. This allows parents to prepare alternatives if needed, especially for children with allergies or dietary restrictions. And it helps other parents to stay informed about what their children are eating at school. And that would be a HUGE win.
10. Use Natural Lighting
Spending hours and hours at school under fluorescent or LED lighting can be draining on children and adults alike. Encourage natural lighting in your classroom as much as possible, add a soft lamp into the classroom and turn off the overhead lights for some time every day, or provide your class with extra recess or outdoor opportunities when possible.
Healthier Schools Benefit Everyone
While this article focuses on what parents and teachers can enact in the classroom, school administrators should take note! When schools make an effort to institute healthier, non-toxic policies and choices, everyone benefits. Not only does this support the health and wellbeing of the students, but it also helps the schools in a few key ways:
- Fewer absences caused by illnesses and conditions such as asthma; the AMA found that school children miss 10 million days of school each year from asthma alone
- Fewer classrooms disruptions caused by student absences and disruptive behavior
- Increased academic performance
School administrators can do far more to create a healthier and more “green” school environment by utilizing other practices such as recycling, ensuring HVAC systems are cleaned and maintained regularly, buying non-toxic products for the school such as bathroom hand soap, using organic integrated pest management practices, and choosing healthier school lunch programs. Administrators can learn more here.
The First Step
If you’re reading this and feel inspired to create a healthier classroom at your school, I salute you! But I also know that it might feel overwhelming at first. So start by taking one step toward the kind of non-toxic classroom environment you’d like.
If you’re a teacher: create a classroom wish list that supports the kind of healthy environment that you want to create. Add an air filter, houseplants, healthy snacks, and other items to your list. If you’re a parent, start by having a conversation with your child’s teacher about starting some of these initiatives and be sure that you are willing to send in healthier alternatives whenever you can. If you can find other like-minded parents in your child’s classroom, that makes it all the easier.
Here’s to Healthier Classrooms Everywhere!
By following these tips, I believe teachers and parents can work together to create a healthier, more non-toxic classroom environment. Taking small steps toward reducing exposure to toxins will promote a safer and healthier learning space where children (and families!) can thrive.
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