Teaching
children to be eco-friendly
The future
of the world rests in our children's hands. We can only hope that they
grow up to be eco-friendly. The ultimate decision rests with them. But
we can start them on the path to living an eco-friendly lifestyle while
they are still young. Eco-friendly children are more likely to grow up
to be eco-friendly adults.
Here are
some ways you can teach your children to be eco-friendly. Some are
activities you may do with your children. Some are ways to give your
children knowledge about the environment and the impact humans have on
it. Some are direct. Some are less direct. But they all have one
thing in common -- they will all give your children a better sense of
the world we live in and how to keep it green.
1.
Decorate a recycling box with your children. Get an old empty box and
make it as colourful as possible. Use pictures of nature and animals.
Then remind them to place papers and bottles in the box.
2. Have
fun with your children in the garden. Plant vegetables and other small
plants. Explain how the garden grows. Harvest the vegetables with your
children and see their look of wonderment when they realised they had a
hand in growing them. (Make sure you only plant plants that are not
classed as weeds in your local area.)
3. Take
your children to a national park. Even better, see if there are
children-friendly activities in the park.
4. Explain
things. So often we tell our children not to do things or to do things,
but we never explain why. This means that when our children get older
they may stop doing as we have suggested as they think it is of little
or no use. Instead of saying "Don't remove that log", say "Don't remove
that log because many different animals may use their log as their
home. Taking that log would be like someone taking your home away."
The message is far more likely to sink in.
5. Ask
your children to find new ways of using rubbish. It may be difficult
for them at first, and they may need your help. But once they have seen
the interesting and different ways that rubbish may be used, they will
be eager to think of their own ideas. Children have a lot more
imagination than we give them credit for.
6. Use
products in your home that are eco-friendly. Take your children grocery
shopping and tell them why you are picking certain products. For
example, "We get this detergent because it's kinder to the planet". Ask
for your children's help in finding the eco-friendly products on the
shelves.
7. Buy
books and toys that celebrate our wildlife or that impart good
messages. Try to create your own book with your children.
These are
just a sample of the ways that children can be taught to be
eco-friendly. Try thinking of some more of your own. The world will
thank you for it in the future.
