RAISING KIDS TO BE MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

In today’s world where everyone is busy chasing their dreams and repeating routines, being environmentally friendly can be seen as a luxury.

Nevertheless, we need to be aware that due to things like pollution, climate changes and global warming, our environment is disintegrating and so is the life on Earth.

We all must play our roles in protecting our environment. It is important for us to find the time and start acting responsibly.

Why Is It Important To Raise Environmentally Connected Kids?

We all know that raising a child and managing our daily routine tasks is hard work.

While we are it, we completely forget to put the environment in our checklists or to educate our kids about it. But the fact of the matter is that if we don’t raise kids that are connected to the environment and its issues, they are going to grow up and not care about it at all, worsening the problem.

In order to help parents raise environment-connected kids, we have come up with 10 points so they can work upon them and make it fun for their kids to care about the environment.

1. Make learning fun!

Kids are naturally curious, use this on your advantage while teaching them about the importance of preserving the environment.

Let them observe, explore, interact and enjoy their experiences in nature without bothering them about how dirty their clothes are. Let kids be kids, especially out in nature.

Giving them the freedom to explore will make them develop the necessary connection.

Another good way to make your child learn the importance of being environmentally friendly is to inculcate this knowledge while playing different games with them.

Come up with interesting games and DIYs that include recycling for example, or take a quick quiz on endangered animals.

2. Be connected to the environment as a family

It is important for parents to set a good example for their kids and to work as a family towards the betterment of the environment.

Switch to plastic alternatives and educate your child about the environmental hazards of using too much plastic for example, so they can develop this awareness from an early age.

Once they have understood that, keep a little challenge for them as to who can come with the best ideas of plastic replacements and alternatives.

Plastic pollution is the most saddening kind of pollution there is because it never goes away from the environment and not many countries are trying to avoid it. Raising your child to reduce this waste might lead to a better future.

3. Give them little doses of educational content

You can download or stream educational short movies, cartoons and videos on the importance of environmental sustainability.

You can also read amusing nature stories at bedtime, so it can intrigue them to learn more about nature.

Small bites of curated content are the best way to gain their attention and make them understand how important is to be environmentally friendly.

4. Green Hour Time

In today’s world, children like it more to stay indoors and thus lack the basic connection with the environment.

These kids have to love the environment first in order to protect it.

For the same reason, tell your children that every day they have to go out and play in the garden/park for an hour.

By doing so, you are not only letting them get close to the environment but also making them get accustomed to a better and healthier lifestyle!

5. Go planting trees with your kids

Kids love to do physical activity and what’s more interesting is that kids take pride in helping out and doing good.

You can plan a “Planting Trees Day” with your cute munchkins and rest assured they are going to have a lovely time!

While you are at it – make sure to educate them about which tree you are planting and what’s the use of planting trees.

If you have a backyard, plant a fruit tree to teach them where their food comes from. Seeing the whole process makes them understand and appreciate it much more.

6. Spend time outside on the weekends

Plan your weekends around outside activities as much as possible.

Kids love to go out – so instead of taking them to a toy store, take them to a quick trip to the beach, to a National Park or a mountain hike.

They learn so much about how the world works and you can also add to this knowledge by telling them interesting things about the place you chose. Teach them to pick up the trash they find in the way and to leave nature just how they found it.

On top of developing a nature connection, they also learn to live a healthier lifestyle.

7. Make being environmentally friendly convenient

You must make being green convenient for them to make them want to be green kids.

Start with small steps like switching off the lights when they leave the room and reusing what they already have instead of buying new.

Always explain to them why they are doing what they are doing, illustrating the results of their actions. Kids cooperate better when they understand whys instead of being told to do so.

8. Love of Animals

Adopt a pet if it accommodates in your lifestyle as this inculcates the sense of kindness in your children towards animals.

So many animals are getting endangered and people don’t care enough.

Children must be taught to be more caring towards animals, so they care more about the environment in the future.

9. Go camping or on a nature-related vacation

Vacating in the countryside or by the beach can be a great way to make your kids disconnect to their devices and connect with the world around them.

They will learn new skills, explore new settings and truly experience the world.

If you can, go camping at least once in their childhood.

The back to basics experience that camping brings will make them see life from a different perspective, bring the family closer and make everyone connect with nature.

These happy moments will stay in their minds so it is a great opportunity to show them the joy of a simple life.

10. Develop their creativity and fitness around nature

From early have, let them develop their creative skills around nature.

Let them build, plant and try new experiences.

Also, enroll them in nature-related sports like swimming, kayaking, and skiing.

This will improve their health and make them closer to an environmentally friendly life.

These are just 10 of the many ways by which you could make your kids be more environmentally connected.

Once you start inculcating these points in your children’s lives, a day would come when they would feel proud in calling themselves Green Kids or Eco Kids.

If you want more tips on how to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, check out the 10 small changes you can make to live an eco-friendly lifestyle.