It’s never too early to teach your children about the environment. Taking care of the environment is everyone’s duty, and the earlier your children learn good habits, the better. Simple lessons can be taught early, and as a parent you have an important role in teaching them these lessons from an early age. Here are some important eco-friendly life lessons from Tyler Davison, a primary educator with a particular passion for science and technology that you can give to your children.
Get Into Good Habits Around the Home
There are so many good habits you can get your children into from a very early age, and these will remain with them for life. For example, you could encourage them to:
- Turn off computers, tablets and televisions when not using them
- Unplug chargers for phones and other devices
- Always turn off the light when they leave the room
- Turn the tap off when brushing their teeth
You can also set an example to them and teach them about why you are doing certain things, such as recycling waste rather than throwing it away, collecting rain water in a water butt, buying reused things rather than new ones, reducing your consumption as a family and using your own bags when you go shopping.
Take Advantage of Technology
Children love technology. Many have the ability to use tablets and smartphones, and technology is part of their lives from the moment they are born. It therefore makes sense to use technology to teach them about important concepts such as being eco-friendly.
For example, you could download apps on tablets that teach them about the environment, animals, the natural world and anything that provides an eco-message.
You can also use gadgets and devices to teach them about saving power. For example, homes all over the country will soon be getting smart meters, and when the smart meter installation takes place, use it as an opportunity to explain how it can help you to cut your power usage.
Let your children look at the screen with you to find out how much power you are using, and then make reducing the amount of energy you use into a challenge for the whole family.
Plan Fun Activities with an Eco-Lesson
There are endless activities that you can enjoy with your children that will also teach them about caring for the environment, and the only limit is your creativity. Some to get you started could include:
- Grow your own plants and vegetables
- Go on a hunt for insects in the garden
- Plant a tree
- Make something out of recycled items
- Create a picture using natural items like leaves and sticks
- Go on a nature walk and see what you can see
- Set up a bird feeder in the garden
- Keep a list of all the flowers you can find in the garden and around your house
Teach Your Children to Care for the Environment
By teaching your children how to care for the environment from an early age, you will be providing them with lessons that will last a lifetime. No one is ever too young to lead an eco-friendly lifestyle, so make sure your children know what is involved early on by teaching them important lessons that will stay with them for life.
