As keepers of the Earth, it is our sole responsibility to raise our future generations to value and prioritise the environment. It has become more important than ever to teach children to be environmentally conscious from an early age, as it helps them understand the importance of preserving our planet, but also encourages them to actively contribute to its well-being. The good news is, it doesn’t take much to teach a child how to respect and take care of the environment. From keeping an eye on the amount of water they use, to reducing waste, there are a number of ways that you can approach this. Below is a guide that discusses how to raise an environmentally conscious child, as advised by this private school in Cambridge.
Lead by example
You are your child’s greatest teacher and role model, meaning that it is imperative that you practice what you preach if you want to increase the chances of raising an eco-friendly child. Children learn best through observation, so be sure to model sustainable behaviour beforehand. Incorporate different eco-friendly practices into your daily routine, such as recycling, reaching for reusable products, and saving water and energy. When children realise how important this is to you and witness your commitment to the environment, they will be more likely to practice these acts themselves.
Educate your child
You cannot expect your child to understand something that they’ve never even been taught. Go the extra mile by teaching your child the wonders that comes with nature, and the impact of humans on the environment. Allow them to take part in age-appropriate conversations about climate change and endangered species. You can use documentaries, books and interactive activities to make their learning more fun and engaging.
Raise your child as someone who is proud to be a keeper of the planet. Show them how to embrace this responsibility and remind them of the rewards that will surely come from their efforts.
Many schools have eco clubs or environmental days which also support their environmentally conscious development
Defo need to lead by example!
I think it’s so important for parents to lead by example and educate our children the importance of looking after the planet we are living on. Let them know where the materials come from, where paper comes from and how toys are made. I show my kids videos of the consequence of deforestation loss of habitats and the effects of global warming. I don’t think it’s ever too young to do so. I like the fact that my kids will think twice before reaching out for a second piece of paper to draw. They know why I don’t buy them children meals with plastic toys and they don’t litter I would hold rubbish until they see a dustbin.