Our children are (or soon) will be responsible for the future of our planet. Sudies have shown that an early connection to nature leads children to be better stewards of the environment.
With so much talk about global warming, ecological footprint and the necessity to reduce our impact on the environment; our children are more likely to understand these concerns and theirs roles in preserving our environment.
As parents we can help develop this eco-conscious mindset in our children. We can lead by example, promote recycling, buy recycled products and get involved in neighborhood beatification and/or clean-up project. Most of all we can spend more time outside with our children to teach them about nature, including identifying indigenous animals and plants.
Here is a short list of a few things we can easily do to help them learn.
- Packaging – Help kids understand how much waste can be packaging. An easy example being the cost of production and disposal of small juice boxes versus buying a large bottle.
- Recycled – Complete the “cycle” by purchasing items made from recycled materials and using them in your daily activities.
Refillable – Buy refillable “products” such as pens and mechanical pencils. Some dish soaps, laundry detergent and cleaning products come as refills. - Plastic and paper bags – Yes, these often get recycled but their production using a large amount of resources. Use tote bags. A large selection has appear on the market with a number of cities going to a no bag policy.
- Bamboo – Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on Earth. It can be harvested and without damaging or depleting it. Bamboo is naturally pests resistant and grows without needing any chemicals making the perfect “organic” crop. You can find anything from clothing to kitchenware made out of bamboo.
- Exchange toys – Organize toy exchanges with friends and family. Swap boxes or bags toys instead of buying new ones. Make your boy is involved in choosing which he agrees to trade.
- Lunches – Waste free school lunches. Use a cloth napkin, metal forks and spoons, reusable sandwich and drink containers. On average a single child will generate 67lbs of waste a year by packing a “disposable lunch”
- Litter awareness – Raise litter awareness by taking a trash bag on hikes and walks to accommodate your own trash as well as any you find.
With all the new concern after our brush with lead poisoning in materials used for toys and our renewed interest in clothing made out of organically grown cotton and other green fibers. We decided to compile a list of organization, associations and groups that monitor and set standards for eco-friendly materials.
