Raising Children to Go Green
Teach Kids to Be Kind to the Environment
It's not easy being green. But with a little extra effort, anyone can do it -- even kids. Learn ways to raise children who are kind to the environment.
Raising children to go green teaches them to become responsible members of the planet, and to respect all of the resources that it has to offer. Parents can teach kids to be kind to the environment with a few simple techniques.
Teach Children to Recycle
Teaching kids to be environmentally conscious can start with getting them exited about recycling by explaining the benefits that come from reducing waste, and reusing old materials.
Start by setting up recycle bins for plastic, glass, metal, and paper. Clearly label each bin so that children know where the materials belong. If kids are not able to read -- simply add pictures to the labels.
Parents should let children take charge of things that are not breakable such as plastic, and paper items. Even your youngest kids can learn how to sort containers and put them in the recycling bins.
Instead of throwing away toys and clothes that children no longer use, help them sort through their things and donate them to local charities. If some of the old clothes are in no condition to give away, consider cutting them up and turning them into reusable cleaning cloths.
Encourage Children to Conserve Resources
Children can learn to conserve resources by doing simple things like turning the water off while they’re brushing their teeth or washing dishes, taking shorter showers, and reducing the amount of water that fills the bath tub.
Encourage the conservation of electricity by having kids limit their television time, and getting them into the habit of turning off lights when they are not in use. Parents can also reiterate the importance of saving energy by utilizing natural light sources in the home during daylight hours.
Buy Organic Fruits and Vegetables
Take children to the farmers market and explain to them why it’s important to buy produce that’s environmentally friendly and grown without chemicals and pesticides that can be harmful the planet.
Grow a Vegetable Garden
Letting children assist with growing a small vegetable garden can teach them how much we rely on the planet’s resources for survival -- including dirt and insects.
Encourage Children to Reuse Items Before Throwing Them Away
Help kids find other ways to reuse parts of items before throwing them away. For instance, buttons from old clothes can be used for various art projects, and old shoe laces can be used to string beads or lacing cards.
Raising kids to go green will teach them to respect the environment's resources, and enable them to develop important habits that can be carried into adulthood.
