How to Go Green With Young Children
Children have an inherent love of nature. From the toddler girl picking dandelion bouquets for her mother to the school aged boy who loves to climb trees, children of all ages love the outdoors and all that grows and thrives there. If you tell them that mismanagement by mankind can hurt the environment, they are quick to report to green duty. They don't need convincing; all they need is guidance from you.
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Instructions
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Tell your child what "going green" is. Explain the implications to the environment of waste and misuse of natural resources.
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When you can, walk with your child instead of drive. There are health and economical benefits to this as well as environmental. Tell your child about the pollution that comes from cars, and the cost to the planet of making fuel. Allow extra time before and after play dates and park trips to commute on foot. Make walking more fun by playing games such as "I Spy." Bring a water bottle and nutritional snack; often a tired child will cheer up if she is given something to eat.
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Teach your child how to recycle. Tell him what a landfill is, and show him pictures of one. Explain that recycled items get made into something else and not sent to the landfill. Put recycling containers where he can reach them and teach him which items go into which container.
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Recycle clothing. Pass down your child's outgrown pants and shirts to younger relatives and friends, or donate them to a church or thrift shop. Children outgrow clothing so quickly that it is often easy to pass along items that look new. Shop at the thrift store yourself. Clothing that is too worn to be donated can be used for rags or made into other items if you sew.
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Children love to garden. Grow a vegetable patch in your yard and teach your child how to care for the plants. Show her how to plant, water and weed. Teach her how plants make their own food from sunlight and, in turn, make food for us. If you don't have a yard big enough for a vegetable plot, try setting up some planters on your patio or balcony, or even indoors by a window.
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Show your child all the many ways you can go green in the house. Teach him to turn off lights when he leaves a room, or turn off the television if he is not using it. Tell him not to leave the water running while he brushes his teeth. Drawing paper can be used on both sides to avoid waste. Lead by example and explain to your child what you are doing and why.
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- Photo Credit 5 years old boy plays with garden toy tools image by T.Tulic from Fotolia.com
