I have to say; I do worry about the state of the world we are leaving our children – and, our grandchildren, of course. And, it’s vital to teach them about the things we have done wrong in the past, and how we can respect our environment. We try hard to get our kids interested in green issues, and although it can be tough to engage them sometimes, it does work. If you are struggling to teach your children about the environment, read on for some great tips. They have helped us in the past, and I’m sure they will do the same for you.
Get outside more
The first step is an easy one – get outside more. All kids love to play, investigate, and find out about the world around them. They like to know the name of trees and animals, how things grow, and understand things you probably take for granted. There’s just so much you can do. We’ve had a great time camping out, for example. They are so much fun, and everyone learns a lot about the environment. Why not give it a try?
Practice what you preach
If you try hard to be as green as possible around the house, it will rub off on your younger children. It’s the little things that count: turning off the lights, and not throwing litter everywhere is a good start. You should also walk as much as possible, rather than use the car for every little trip. Try to help your kids think about the toys they want, too. It’s easier than you might think. For example, sustainable, wooden toys will last for ages. Whereas their favorite plastic toys barely last five minutes. When they break, it’s an excellent opportunity to explain why – and they will soon change their minds!
Take the soft approach
There’s no need to scare your kids when talking about the environment. Sure, ecological issues are pretty intense right now, and it can be hard to be positive. You wouldn’t want to show them pictures of animals in a slaughterhouse, for example; or the aftermath of a tidal wave. The educational approach works a lot better. For example, we were talking about dinosaurs the other day, and how they are extinct. So, I showed them some pictures from here – http://www.conservationinstitute.org/. They are all recent photos of animals that have become extinct in recent years. We then spoke about hunting, and how damaging it is to the wildlife in our world. It’s an educational, and interesting topic that sparked a few thoughts in their minds.
Make use of the TV
Despite what many people say about modern kids TV, there are some fantastic programs available that will teach them a lot about nature. Check your listings, and try some out for yourself to see if they are suitable. There are good lists around online: this one, for example – http://kidworldcitizen.org/2014/11/18/incredible-nature-documentaries-kids/. Our children have picked up an enormous amount of information from them, and sometimes I think that they know more about wildlife than we do. And, you know what? I’m glad. As a generation, we haven’t left the ideal place behind for our children. And, in the near future, it’s going to be up to them to make things right. But, if we don’t spark a passion now, which of them will be interested?
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