8 Suggestions For Raising Eco-Friendly Children

That favorite expression of toddlerhood conjures up memories of fist pounding and shoe kicking tantrums. Whether you were in the grocery store aisle or in the sandbox at the local park, it is stressful and disheartening for parents to witness this self-centeredness. However, like most childhood stages, this eventually passes and leads to wonderful opportunities to raise eco-friendly children who are compassionate about others and the environment.

By starting in our homes and working with our children, we can implement simple measures and begin instilling techniques to raise awareness about stewardship in relation to our planet. This helps our youth grasp the impact we have on our environment and, in turn, the power we have to make a difference. Hopefully, by embracing fun activities we will be able to nurture a desire in our children to reduce their carbon footprints and impact on nature.

To help us on our journey to raise eco-friendly kids, here are eight suggestions:

Seek the outdoors. Research has linked children who experience nature to an increased sense of seeing value in the environment. This is important to note, because many of our urban communities lack green spaces. No matter where you live, look for opportunities to get kids outdoors. Whether it’s the backyard or backpacking in the woods, let our youth enjoy the sights and sounds of Mother Nature.

Rethink family dinner. We know the countless benefits of breaking bread as a family, but getting children involved in planning and cooking meals also presents the chance to teach clean eating. Instruct about the value in using local seasonal fruits or veggies and knowing the chemicals that are in our food. Take the time to visit a Farmer’s Market, roadside stand, or look for wholesome ingredients to use when making dinner.

Plant a garden. Toiling in the dirt is a great way for kids to embrace a hands on way to learn about the world around them. As our sons and daughters learn about plants, they are also developing an appreciation for real foods and sustainability. If you are apprehensive about the responsibility of a traditional garden, start small with a few containers on your porch or stoop.

Go back to the basics: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. It sounds simple, but many of today’s children need to learn these basic skills. Encourage kids to sort recyclables, hang laundry, reduce trash, or compost food waste. Embrace yard sales and thrift stores before you buy new clothing or items. This will enable kids to learn about the value of money and save items from the landfill. Another way to embrace repurposing, is to challenge kids to look for ways to repurpose belongings before throwing an item into the trash bin. Look on Pinterest or surf the Internet for help in breathing new life into old furniture, containers, pallets, books, and more!

Look for ways to volunteer as a family. Have you heard the saying “do as I say, not as I do”? As parents, we have the unique challenge of sending the message that our earth matters by leading by example. Participate in trash pick-ups, clean area parks, or volunteer at the recycling center.

Implement DIY projects in the home to help the environment. Make sure to include the whole family and teach children how to weatherize or reduce waste within the home. You can simply install weather stripping or teach children how to caulk gaps around the windows. Whatever your family chooses, the kids will be able to learn a new skill, use tools, and take pride in their tasks.

Dust off your library card. One way parents can help children become more eco-conscious is to utilize the local library. Avoid buying new movies, books, magazines, or newspapers by checking them out from the library. As added bonuses, you will save money and also be able to access workshops or classes to help your family embrace a greener way of life!

Embrace books and movies on this subject. Read stories about conservation and let kids watch cartoons like Ferngully to drive home the importance of caring for our world.

The Importance of Raising Eco-Friendly Kids

The outlook is bleak for the future- unless everyone works together to tackle this issue today. We can start by accepting the challenge to raise our sons and daughters to be aware of the environment and how our actions affect nature. Using homes and backyards as living classrooms provides our children countless opportunities to foster a love for the miracles the environment offers. We can turn “mine” into “ours” and better the world for our children’s benefit.

Photos courtesy of Amy Williams

What is one thing you can do today to help raise eco-friendly kids?

About Amy Williams:

Amy Williams is a free-lance journalist based in Southern California and mother of two. As a parent, she enjoys spreading the word on positive parenting techniques in the digital age and raising awareness on issues like cyberbullying and online safety.