Tips for Teaching Kids to Go Green
We found this article at CareFair.com and thought you might like it, too!
Growing up we were all taught about the importance of not littering, how to recycle, and why it is important to not waste water or electricity. However, the Green Movement has become more involved and now just the basics aren’t enough to keep our planet in good shape. Help your family step up its game by teaching your little ones about what they can do to “go green.”
If you’re the parent of younger children (preschool age), you can start teaching them about going green through the use of food. What better way to teach a lesson than through their stomach? Start out by showing your kids how fruits and vegetables are good for their bodies. Next, have them pick out their favorite ones to eat and show them which parts can be used for compost. This is a great way to show your children that food can be used for other purposes and don’t always have to be tossed in the trash. To help them get exercise while young, it also helps to walk to your destinations when possible. Instead of driving to the park to play, take a short walk, or start a family tradition of walking around the neighborhood a few days out of the week. This keeps your car off the road and not only spares the air but your wallet as well.
Parents of children in grade school can incorporate green ideas into their kids’ daily lives. During this stage in life, children are learning how to brush their own teeth, wash their hands, and maintain good hygiene. Take this time to teach them to get into the habit of turning the water off while they are doing such activities and only turning it back on when it is time to rinse. Your kids can also learn good habits when it comes to turning off the TV or unplugging their computer at night. Leaving a computer or laptop on overnight takes up more energy than you would think and can make a big difference in your utility bill. On that same note, teach your kids to put on a sweater or grab a blanket if they are cold to avoid turning on the heater unnecessarily, or to lose the layers during hot weather so you don’t have to use air conditioning.
As your kids get older (high school), begin showing them how to use organic or all natural versions of their favorite household items and personal care products. This gives the environment a break and will be better for their health in the long run. With these good habits in place, your kids will carry these practices with them to college and into their adult lives when they have their own homes.
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