Top 5 Tips To Raise Enviroment-Friendly Kids

I truly believe that we should posivitively contribute to preserving our planet Earth, to the enviroment protection and slowing down the climate change. Even if you use a resuable water bottle to decrease the discharge of plastic by just one bottle less... Even if you try to save water when washing your dishes... Even a small effort makes a big difference... Let's celebrate the Earth Day on the 22 April and everyday together with our family and friends.

If you are a parent who cares about the planet and wants to instill eco-conscious values in your children, you might be wondering how to do it effectively. Raising environment-friendly children is not only good for the environment, but also for their health, happiness and future. Here are some tips on how to raise environment-friendly children:

Tip #1 - Lead by example

Children learn by observing and imitating their parents, so make sure you are modeling eco-friendly behaviors at home and outside. For example, you can use reusable bags and bottles, recycle and compost, turn off lights and appliances when not in use, walk or bike instead of driving whenever possible, etc. Explain to your children why you are doing these things and how they help the environment.

You might get sceptical here. We all know too well about the role model sustainability. It's easier to talk the talk than to walk the walk. So, if you talk about the importance of recycling, make sure you do recycle yourself, at least make an effort. Avoid using plastic bags, try to buy from local markets. Reduce baby's impact on the planet: buy reusable diapers, opt for sustainable products. With teens, join volunteer clean-up groups or plant trees together at your backyard on weekends. Spend time outdoors. If you want to raise children who protect nature, they should learn to cherish and savior it first. Show how amazing is our Blue Planet! Be environmentally conscious yourself first and children will learn from the best - from You!

A good start is using recycle bins at home and outside. It's just a matter of developing a good healthy habit. Start as young as 6 months old. It's worth to invest into recycling trash bins at home. Every time your child needs to throw away something, it would make her/him pause for a moment and reflect which one to use and why. For toddlers, it would teach different colors in addition to recycling. For older children, it would give an automatic habit of responsibility to practice in public spaces too. Your child would experience "feel-good-about-myself doing good deed" sensation that actually boosts self-confidence every time she/he throws away her/his waste. It's feeding two birds with one seed: contribute to the environment protection and the development of your child's healthy identity. The benefits of the recycled bins to be fully convinced: they prevent polution, save energy and boost economy!

Tip #2 - Educate

Children are naturally curious and eager to learn, so take advantage of their interest and teach them about the environment and its issues. You can use books, documentaries, games, websites, apps and other resources to educate them about topics such as climate change, biodiversity, pollution, renewable energy, etc. You can also take them to nature centers, museums, zoos, parks and other places where they can learn more about the natural world and its wonders.

Talk about the environment to your child and encourage to take eco-friendly decisions every single day. Explain that we twist the nob off when brushing our teeth to avoid the waste of water. That it's better to make a good and healthy choice of walking or biking instead of taking a bus and or getting a car ride to school because it's better for our planet. Create an eco-library and read related books at bed-time. There are many child-age-appropriate books and online recourses highlighting the importance of environment protection, the ways we could contribute and minimize of carbon footprint on Planet Earth. You can find information for any age - from baby board book to teenagers action motivation. Make the environmental theme books parts of your library. An excellent sustainable birthday git idea, by the way!

"The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share." – Lady Bird Johnson

Tip #3 - Motivate and involve

Involve them. Children are more likely to care about something if they feel connected to it, have a sense of agency and a good reason. Therefore, involve them in your eco-friendly activities and decisions, and let them have a say in them. For example, you can ask them to help you sort the recycling, choose the products you buy, plant a garden, make crafts from recycled materials, etc. You can also encourage them to join or start environmental clubs or projects at school or in the community, and support their initiatives.

I know, I know. To make your child do what you want is often an impossible task! There's a bunch of specialists that continue struggling to figure out that sky-rocket science of parenting. My answer to that is simply practical: "Give your child a good reason to do that!" When you try to tell your strong-charactered kid about the importance of saving our Mother Earth, to protect and care for nature, any child would have The thoughts at the back of his/her head - as many adults do too, by the way! (laughing) - "What's in it for me?! Mom? Dad?" Here comes your well-skilled art of parenting: you know better your sweet baby than anybody else! His favorite blueberries would be sweeter? Her beloved lake or sea would be cleaner and softer on the skin? It would save his pocket money and teach budgeting skills? (for teenagers, it's a good point of reference in their cool world). And only after that, you should add on our altruistic intentions of saving the planet for future generations. Don't forget that significant part of the environment protection! To Think Green!

Tip #4 - Praise

Praise them. Children respond well to positive reinforcement and feedback, so make sure you praise them for their eco-friendly actions and achievements. For example, you can say things like "I'm so proud of you for saving water by taking a shorter shower", "You did a great job picking up the litter in the park", "You are such a good friend to the animals by not eating meat", etc. You can also reward them with non-material incentives such as extra playtime, a special outing or a hug.

Tip #5 - Have Fun!

Raising environment-friendly children should not be a chore or a burden, but a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your children. Make sure you enjoy the process and have fun with your children along the way. You can play games, sing songs, tell stories, make jokes and laugh together while learning about and caring for the environment. Remember that children are more likely to adopt eco-friendly habits if they associate them with positive emotions and memories.

Kids love arts and crafts. And parents simply love doing the daily homework with them, right? I am being sarcastic here, indeed. I know how it feels to come home after a tiring working day "to indulge yourself into the creative arts project for school when you've actually forgotten/didn't manage/didn't have extra cash to buy the supplies and have tons of other things on your mind... Or your child keeps nagging that feels bored on weekend. Been there, done that! So, as the super-parent that you are... present your kid/s a brilliant idea - The Earth Day Game - helping the Mother Earth whilst having fun or getting his/her homework done! Playfully. Re-use plastics and carbon boxes. For example, a plastic bottle can turn into a pretty pencils holder, the bottle caps can be used for a painting pallet (just glue them on the pallet to have paints more organized). The best part for the parents: the minimum expenditures on these projects/games and trash is cleaned up. Bonus: your conscious feels good: good deed and a values lesson given to your child. Be proud of yourself!

Every Day is the Earth Day!

Raising environment-friendly children is one of the best gifts you can give to your children and to the planet. By following these tips, you can help your children develop a love and respect for nature that will last a lifetime.

At Modern Parenting for New and Experienced Parents, we teach to raise The World Citizens. A child who would be able to feel confident in any environment when becomes an adult. A child who is tolerant and respectful of diversity. A child to grow into adult living a sustainable life. A child with a great set of life skills to navigate in our globalized world. Your Child. How do you parent? What's your aimed end-result? We can help you to take The well-informed decisions on respectful childcare to raise the Healthy&Happy World Citizens.

Book Free Call Now!

Book Now Your Free 30-minutes Discovery Call and learn how to get a personal strategy customized for your family! Let's make an effort to make our planet healthier for the next generation! Let every day be the Earth Day. And who knows: maybe your kid is Greta of the next generation...

Enjoy the Parenthood! Kids grow up so fast...

Gulnoz,

Your Life Coach for Parents aka Oxford Human Rights Lawyer

Reminder: Healthy&Happy Children = Happy Parents!