It is important to speak about big issues with our children. Whether you need to talk about your health in light of the last year or you are attempting to give them the foundations for a better life, there are certain aspects of the modern world that we cannot overlook. Sustainability is one of those things that has gained so much momentum in the last few years. You have to remember that our children will pick up where we have left off, especially as we get older. And learning to teach our children about sustainability and green living is easier said than done. But with this in mind, what can you do to get them started?
Starting at Home
If you want your children to have a thorough grounding in an eco-friendly life, you have to lead by example. Instead of using plastic ones, you can choose reusable products and you could explain to your children why plastic is damaging the planet. You can also incorporate other aspects of sustainable living into the home, such as using water filters to filter rainwater. While there are many ways to do it, you’ve got to remember that if you don’t practice what you preach, why should your children continue when you are unable to do it anymore?
Reusing and Repurposing
Our kids are creative, so instead of throwing things away that we don’t need anymore, we can ask them what they would do with old plastic containers or cardboard. Repurposing and reusing items in a different way is a fun activity for you all to do. This naturally leads to practices like absolutely. Getting into the mindset of being creative with the items you have around you will gradually begin to nurture a more sustainable mindset. It takes a while, especially if you aren’t into the habit, but it soon becomes second nature.
The Simple Art of Recycling
It can teach us so much. By getting your children motivated at such a young age to recycle, you can turn it into a fun family activity. But at the same time, you can also teach them about the negative impacts of littering and helping your children to get into local initiatives that encourage more green ways of living. By giving them the tools and encouraging them to research it, it becomes something that they want to do rather than something that you are telling them to do.
Understanding the Impacts of Their Carbon Footprint
We all have to be aware of our individual impact on the planet. It’s a hard balance to get right because you don’t want to discourage your children from doing things that they want to do, but at the same time, it’s about incorporating certain lifestyle habits that can help them to be more mindful in terms of the health of the planet, while also being happy in themselves. Helping them to calculate their carbon footprint is one thing, but it’s also about showing them the importance of buying local, as well as the carbon footprint of something like their Christmas gifts.
