In many ways, today’s child is likely to be far more “green” than his or her parents were as children. Schools throughout Canada teach the importance of respecting the environment and of recycling, and your school-age child will likely understand all about reducing, reusing and recycling. When a child is home, however, it’s often a different story altogether as TV and the computer divert attention from the greener aspects of life. Many children sadly haven’t a clue how to play or enjoy themselves out of doors, or how to support the environment when away from school. So how can you help your child in the pursuit of greenness?
Here are a few tips:
- Start a reward points system for green tasks accomplished such as help with the recycling. Reward your child with an outdoor activity that is all about fun.
- Teach your child to turn the tap off when cleaning his teeth (swish the toothbrush once under a running tap, turn the tap off, then turn it on again to rinse), and to make a habit of turning lights off as well as on.
- Encourage your child to play outside and accompany her on outdoor pursuits. Point out the beauty of trees and flowers, birds and butterflies. Explain how helping to preserve the environment will allow her own children to experience all this beauty too.
- In the fall, many children acquire “little visitors” on their heads. Make sure you use a natural form of head-louse control such as tea tree oil. (Simply mix 20 drops of Vivitas™ 100 percent pure Tea Tree Oil with your child’s favourite shampoo, wait ten minutes, then rinse well. Repeat in five to seven days. Please be sure to protect the eyes as tea tree oil may sting.)
- Plant a tree together. Name the tree after your child, e.g. “Michael’s tree.” (Some parents plant a tree following the birth of each child.) If you prefer, you can plant a tree in a park or other public place. Call your local municipality to find out if this is possible in your area.
- Build a bird house or bird feeder for your backyard using natural or recycled wood. Buy a bird identification book and make notes of all your feathered visitors.
- Visit a local nature reserve or spend the day looking in tidepools. (Remember to take only photographs and leave only footprints...)
- Make your child’s school snacks and/or lunches all natural. Explain to him what is in his food and how it helps him grow strong and well. Explain too how organic foods are better for the environment. Nature’s Path cookies and snack bars are a good choice for your child’s lunchbox.
- Spend an afternoon making crafts from recycled materials. Paint old flowerpots with non-toxic acrylic paints, allow to dry, then seal with acrylic sealer and you’ll have pretty pots for planting herbs. Add leaf or flower stickers for extra detail. Painting garden rocks is another environmentally friendly play idea (ladybugs are particularly popular and easy to make). You can find instructions for making painted rocks, herb pots, etc. in library books and on the Internet.
- Don’t buy plastic toys. When your child grows out of her toys, recycle them to playgroups or perhaps ask if your doctor or dentist’s office would like them for the play area.
- Teach younger children respect for animals. Let them help you prepare your pet’s meal and accompany you on a dog-walk. Take your child to a petting zoo and to the aquarium.
- Teach your older child to print out emails only when truly necessary. All paper that is printed on one side only can be cut up and made into a cool notepad.
- Instead of eating out during the warmer months, pack a picnic and head for the beach or local picnic spot. Use the opportunity to teach your child the importance of packing out what you pack in.