Kids are starting to pay more and more attention to environmentalism, and for the sake of the future of our planet, this should certainly be encouraged. There is no child too young to learn how to be a good steward of the earth.
Even the busiest of families can make small and simple changes in the right direction. There are a few things you should be doing to model the right kind of behaviors for your children.
- Recycle, reuse and repurpose
Introducing your child to recycling at home is the best way of getting them started on the road to sustainability. There are quite a few cartoons and interactive games that provide useful information that is suitable for their level of understanding.
Encourage your children to get involved in sorting the trash into various bins. Talk with them about what happens to the rubbish and the importance of recycling. Encourage them to notice what kinds of items can be recycled and chat about alternatives for the ones that can’t
Another great thing to do here is to consider which items can be reused and how. There are some interesting ideas online on how certain containers may be repurposed in some way about the house. As well as being beneficial to the environment, this can inspire both your child’s creativity and your own.
- Conserve energy
While perhaps a little more complex for younger children to understand, teaching your kids to conserve energy in and around the home will help with reducing the overall carbon footprint of your house.
However, even if the purpose can’t be explained, you can still get your children into the habit of switching off lights in rooms that are not being used, powering down inactive devices, and turning off the faucet while they are brushing their teeth for instance. Older kids can help you replace regular lightbulbs with energy-saving ones.
Alongside the environmental impact of such behaviors, they come with the added benefit of reducing your water and electricity bills – a win-win situation! Plus, these energy-saving little habits will likely stay with your children long after they move away from home.
- Park the car
People these days are in the habit of taking their cars everywhere, both to save time and effort. However, these kinds of short trips can have a significant impact on the environment.
The next time you are tempted to hop in your car, consider alternative ways you could make the journey. Is it possible to walk to your destination? Or maybe even cycle? Both of these have significant health benefits for you and your children, as well as protecting the environment.
For slightly longer journeys you may consider the possibility of taking public transport. This experience can be quite exciting and enjoyable for young children, and it provides a myriad of educational opportunities, such as learning about schedules alongside the obvious environmental benefits.
- Shop responsibly
Another excellent opportunity for your child to learn more about the environment is at the supermarket. Take the time to discuss with them where their food comes from and how it gets there and encourage them to search out healthy and sustainably sourced products with recyclable packaging.
Here you may also consider the types of cleaning products that you use and the impact they may be having on the planet. Encourage older children to look for ones that contain fewer chemicals and that are cruelty-free.
Finally, the lesson can continue with how you get your products home. Rather than opting for single-use plastic, utilize the various bags for life to model reusing items where possible. Again, any habits your children pick up here are likely to stay with them for life.
