Having children get acquainted with sustainability practices starting from a young age is incredibly crucial for the betterment of the environment. It is best to develop these green habits when they’re still young so that they can easily carry these practices with them until they grow into adults. However, teaching kids a heavy topic such as sustainability can be a struggle. Primarily, it is vital to help them understand what sustainability means and how the impact of human beings on the planet is immense.
Sustainability allows people to enjoy what the planet offers them today without taking too much and leaving the next generations with less to benefit from. As the population increases and resources deplete, sustainability can be the key to a better and brighter future. The younger generation can make the change that we need in the long run. That is why letting them participate in family activities that promote sustainability can be a great training ground.
Outdoor playtime
First and foremost, letting the entire family spend time outdoors can already be an effective way to promote a more sustainable lifestyle. As long as the kids frequently have fun in nature, they can gain an attachment to the outdoors and develop a love and appreciation for its beauty. This can be a way to motivate and inspire them to practice sustainable habits that can help the environment in the future.
Treasure hunts and hikes can be a great way to let them interact with nature. Not only will this be an enjoyable activity for the kids, but the adults can also treat this as a relaxing bonding time with the family that can help them stay active. With reliable hiking shoes from brands like the Danner shoe collection, hiking and other outdoor activities can be more comfortable and gratifying.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle
The three Rs is one of the most crucial concepts to teach children when it comes to sustainability. Though this is usually taught and practiced at school, it is crucial to monitor these habits even at home. Please encourage them to reduce their wastes and use reusable materials such as lunch boxes and reusable straws for a more sustainable lifestyle. Another fun activity can be arts and crafts.
Once in a while, organize family bonding time to make different helpful school or household materials using recyclable materials found in the house. Lastly, designate different trash bins for biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recyclable waste materials. Use activities and games to help them identify and distinguish these three different types of wastes for a more effective way of sorting the garbage.
Gardening
Letting kids participate in gardening activities can also be a great way to expose them to nature and a more sustainable lifestyle. As early as possible, introduce them to the practice of planting their organic food at home. In this way, long trips to the supermarket can be reduced, which also helps improve the family’s overall carbon footprint, which is a big help to the planet.
Not only does this teach them sustainability, but nurturing plants and helping them grow can teach the kids responsibility and discipline. From small herbs to full-grown trees, children can get a sense of accomplishment after growing something from scratch and watching it thrive.
Watch movies and read books
Children can learn a lot from animated movies and storybooks. As a family, Having movie nights can be a fun and enjoyable way for kids to learn about sustainability. Watch movies that deliver a message that correlates to sustainability and saving the environment. For example, movies like Wall-E, The Lorax, Bee Movie, etc., can be educational movies that the entire family will surely enjoy. After the movie, discuss sustainability and how the kids feel about the issues presented in the movie. Make sure they understand its message and not just focus on the animations and fun characters.
Furthermore, storybooks can also hold a lot of different information about living a green lifestyle. Read them a book or two at night to help them fall asleep or train them to read a book instead of playing computer games or watching tv shows in their spare time.
Ultimately, there are a hundred ways to help your kids learn about the concept of sustainability. Communicate with your family members and discover different methods that can work for everyone. The activities mentioned above can also help develop children’s creativity, leadership, resourcefulness, and relationship skills.
Start early and train your family members to practice a more sustainable lifestyle during the crucial formative years of your children. Always remind them that even small kids can have a significant impact on the planet. As parents, be their primary example of taking care of the environment, so walk the talk, and children will naturally follow.
