5 Tips on How to Raise Environmentally Aware Kids

*Note from Dave:

I did not write this, but I do take environmental stewardship seriously.  I don’t believe that carbon dioxide is a pollutant, and I think that straw bands are worthless virtue signalling. I also believe anyone that says the “science is settled” on man-caused global warming is an idiot that does not understand either science in general or the specific idea of man climate change.

Actually, I dislike the tone of the opening paragraph.  However, I do thank we need to raise our children to respect the environment and to know how important it is to make the world better.  I try to raise a my son to be better than I am, but I also try to leave him a world better than the one I was left.

That being said, here is the article:

The environmental issues are not a joke. We get calls to action all the time. People from all around the world are taking the Plastic Pledge. We’re becoming more aware of the damage we’ve been doing to our planet, and we want to take it back or stop it as much as possible.

Everything starts with education. When we become aware, we change our actions. When we teach our kids to be friendly with nature, we prevent damage.

But children can be careless sometimes. You take them to a picnic, and they throw the cans of Coke in the water. You explain that’s not okay and they pick them up, but do they understand why it’s not okay to pollute the nature?

It’s time to talk with your kids. Don’t worry; you won’t be providing full environmental education that would make them bored. You’ll be teaching them how to love the nature and show that love through actions.

We’ll give you essential tips on how to talk to your kids about nature.

First, Take Them Outside!

Let’s get one thing straight: you can’t teach your kids about nature if you don’t show it to them. Sure; there are beautiful TV shows and even apps that can help you teach your kid about plants and animals. But they do not replace the real experience.

So get outside! Even if the weather is cold, hot, or rainy, you can still find a nice place to go to. Your kid might complain about the wind, but you’ll tell them that it’s necessary because it spreads seeds to help the plants grow. If it’s raining, you’ll explain how important water is for everything that’s alive.

Be a Good Example

Your kids watch your every move. They like copying what you do. So when you go out in nature, be mindful about your behavior. If you see plastic or other things that don’t belong there, pick them up even if your family didn’t throw them. Always carry bags where you can collect the trash and then throw it where it belongs.

Your kids will appreciate seeing your responsibility towards nature. They will see you making contributions, and they will want to do the same.

Take Some Nature Inside

Ula Richards, a writer for BestEssays, spends most of her time at home: “By the time I’m done working, it’s already too late to go out,” – she says. “When I don’t have someone watching my kids, they have to stay at home with me. But I don’t let them spend the entire time stuck on a screen. I always find a way to bring bits of nature inside. Rocks, sticks, shells… whatever. We also have many plants around the house, so the kids can take care of them.”

When you don’t have the opportunity to take them out every single day, that doesn’t mean the kids can’t stay mindful about nature. Playing with rocks and shells is fun! Planting herbs and watching them grow is even more fun. Using them in the food you prepare is the ultimate lesson on how nature contributes to your life.

Explain How Important the Environment Is

You won’t do this through some intellectual talk that your kids can’t understand. Simplifying works, but saying “Nature is important” simply doesn’t cut it. Instead of saying, you should start showing.

So when your kid eats a banana, you can talk about bananas. Explain how they grow and how they help your kid grow. Show them photos of banana trees, so they will understand they come from the environment. Show them what to do with the peel. They can use it to clean their teeth or treat their skin.

Nature gives us benefits beyond the obvious use of its products. Explore them together with your kids!

Teach Them to Appreciate Fresh Air

When you’re walking around the city, ask your kid to be mindful about the air they breathe. How does it feel?

Then, when you’re in nature, ask the same question. How does the air feel?

The simple thought of air is very important for raising environmental awareness. The air in the city is polluted. It doesn’t feel fresh, and it often makes you tired. The moment you step into the unpolluted environment, you feel a difference. You’re able to take deeper, longer breaths and they have an awakening effect on you.

Your kid will feel the difference, too. That alone is enough for them to start appreciating clean air and take action against polluting it. They will understand why it’s important to ride a bike or take public transport instead of using the family car all the time.

This is the planet where all kinds of miraculous things have happened and will continue to happen. Dinosaurs used to roam these lands. Where is the future headed? One thing is sure: the future will be nice only if we take care of our planet. If each one of us were slightly more conscious and less responsible for pollution, we’d be living in a better world. Everything starts from ourselves and from the way we teach our kids. So teach them well!