Did you brush your teeth today? If so, then you used water. But you probably didn't stop to think about how much water you used or what happened to that water after it went down the drain. Take advantage of your childrens' inquiring minds by teaching valuable lessons about conservation.

Start by looking under the sinks. Let children touch the pipes and listen to the water flowing when the faucet is open. Discuss how water flows through pipes in your home to more pipes outside, usually to a main water-sewer line (for which you will see a manhole in your street).

While individual plans will differ, many home plumbing systems channel water under the ground, all the way to a personal or community wastewater treatment facility. There, the wastewater is filtered and recycled back into our homes for re-use. However, this process is not without loss. Not only does it cost money and time to clean the water, but we also lose water in the process.

One of the simplest ways we can protect our environment is by saving water. Get your preschoolers excited about conservation by hunting for dripping faucets around your home. Then, work together on this fun science experiment to rule out leaky toilets.

Remove the top lid from the tank of your toilet.
Add 15 drops of red food coloring to the tank's water and replace the lid.
Check the water in the toilet bowl after 15 minutes.
If any red dye appears in the toilet bowl water, you have a "silent leak."
For children, a little knowledge can go a long way. After these child-friendly, informational activities, you're sure to notice your preschoolers' conscientious efforts to make our world a better place.