The world has faced difficult challenges in the past and we’ve even overcome a few but climate change may be the biggest issue on the planet today. As adults, there is much we can do to make a difference but it is our children who will carry on the responsibility. However, sustainability is a big concept for kids to wrap their heads around. Help your children connect the dots by teaching them how sustainable living can impact our planet.
Lead by example
Children – no matter the age – learn more by observation than lectures. Rather than repeating the rules ad nauseam, model the behavior you want them to exhibit. No kid is going to learn the value of politeness if they see their parent exhibiting rude behavior every day. The same principle applies to sustainable living as well.
Start by demonstrating small actions that are easy for them to perform. Even very young children can quickly learn to:
- Turn off the lights when leaving the room
- Unplug electronics when not in use
- Turn off the faucet when brushing teeth
- Take shorter showers instead of baths
- Use a washable dishcloth for cleaning instead of paper products
By involving everyone in the family, these habits will become second nature. Praise them when they remember to do them but never berate them for the occasional bout of forgetfulness. A gentle reminder to do better next time often works wonders.
Switch to brands that promote sustainable practices
The scale of climate change is huge and it might seem that our small actions don’t have as much impact as we would like. Millions of people adopting a more sustainable lifestyle will make a difference but the larger impact will come from corporations. Fortunately, there are many companies focused on reducing their carbon footprint and following sustainable practices.
For instance, Natart uses recycled post-consumer waste for all packaging, renewable energy for manufacturing, as well as FSC certified wood, non-toxic adhesives, and water-based stains for all furniture. These and many other actions are a result of our commitment to the environment.
Similarly, there are plenty of other businesses that emphasize local ingredients and manufacturing, eliminate unnecessary or excessive packing, or use recycled products as much as possible. Vote with your wallets for such companies and if appropriate, talk to your children about why you are making such choices.
Encourage them to read up on their favorite toy brands or watch videos about how their cereal/clothes/games are made. Help them make better decisions by educating them on the available choices and making a better decision for everyone.
Make it fun
Children quickly lose interest in something if it’s boring. So make sustainability fun when you can. For example, involve them in recycling by making your own containers for different recyclables. Have them draw pictures representing various categories like paper, plastic, glass, and metal. Every time you recycle, prompt them to use the correct container. Take them with you when going to the recycling center so they can watch the process.
Go for green walks around your neighborhood parks and nature trails, making a game of picking up litter and trash. They’ll enjoy it even more if you get all their friends together and wear high viability vests.
Participate in local volunteer programs or have them spend some time at the local animal shelter. These are all opportunities for children to learn more about our environment, the ecosystem, and how our actions impact the planet.
Change your purchasing habits
Today’s consumer spending is almost always focused on cheap and disposable. From fast fashion to single-use cutlery, the emphasis is on convenience at the expense of the environment. It takes conscious effort to switch our focus to quality products that are more expensive but last longer.
At Natart, we pride ourselves on responsible manufacturing. All our furniture is made with FSC certified wood (from sustainably managed forests), emits very few VOCs, and features the Greenguard certification. We build cribs to last by making them convertible all the way up to a double bed, so you can use them for years instead of months.
Image Credit: @ircandiaphoto
Similarly, you can replace plastic straws and glasses with reusable metal ones. Use plastic-free pods in the dishwasher instead of liquid detergent. It’s important to talk to your kids when you make such decisions so they better understand the consequences of your actions. Involve them in chores around the house like growing a herb garden, loading and unloading the washing machine, etc.
Encourage them to think about their purchases as well. Help them donate their old clothes and toys to local charities instead of throwing them in the trash. Use scraps to make festive ornaments or let them create their own toys/games instead of buying plastic ones.
When it comes to teaching sustainability to children, modeling good behavior and starting a conversation are perhaps the best things you can do. Living sustainably takes effort and it’s never too early to start with kids!