From Guest Blogger Angie Mansfield: Learning About the Green Movement at an Early Age
Teaching kids about going green can help them develop good habits for the rest of their lives.
While many schools teach eco-friendly concepts to varying degrees, much of the work falls on parents and organizations to provide this education.
Talk to Your Kids
With green messages filtering through media and entertainment, you might be surprised to learn how much your kids already know about being Earth-friendly.
The problem is, they may not know how to apply the knowledge they’re gaining to real-world situations.
That’s why you should talk to your kids about going green, find out what they’ve learned, and help them find ways to be more environmentally friendly in the context of regular family life.
Teach by Example
Because kids learn much of their behavior from their parents, one of the most important things you can do to teach them about environmental responsibility is to be responsible yourself.
Participate in city recycling programs, make an effort to conserve water and electricity, and explain to your kids why you’re doing these things. This example will help your kids develop a sense for why green living is important — both to your family and to the world at large.
Make it Fun
By turning activities such as recycling into a game, you can boost your children’s interest and get them excited about the process.
One way to create a sense of fun is to give your kids each a recycling container (or get together with another family
if you have an only child).
Let each child decorate their container with markers or paint, and then keep track of how many recyclable items they collect each week. Provide a small prize for the winner.
Other Ways to Involve Kids
Going green isn’t just about recycling.
Activities such as using reusable cloth shopping bags instead of plastic, and shutting off water and electricity when not in use can also teach kids little steps they can take to protect the environment.
You can also get them involved with activities such as recycling toys and clothes. By letting them choose which items they no longer use and how to dispose of them (donate to charity, sell to consignment shops, etc.), you provide a great lesson in viewing everything as recyclable.
Get Help from Organizations
ConservingNow.com is a resource for parents and teachers looking to educate kids about going green.
The website features classroom education kits (and a list of classrooms to which you can donate kits), along with family activities that teach kids how to be environmentally responsible.
You can also sign your kids up for the Green Youth Movement, which is a student group dedicated to green initiatives. With activities and educational materials available, this organization is a great resource to help teach your kids about going green.
As the world’s population grows, environmental responsibility becomes more and more important.
Teaching your kids how to be Earth-friendly now will give them the tools for a more sustainable life.
About the Author: Freelance blogger Angie Mansfield covers a variety of subjects for small business owners and consumers. Her work has addressed topics from business growth to marketing to finding careers with a business degree.
