Just like houses, gardens, and the countryside, the planet itself is in need of everyday maintenance in order to prolong the Earth’s natural resources. By encouraging environmental friendly, practical steps, in order to implement change and gradually repair the damage that is already done, it is possible to develop a routine approach to daily environmental maintenance. Children are the future, and encouraging awareness of simple tasks will plant a seed in the mind of a child, that will develop into a positive attitude towards environmental preservation, and ensure a cleaner home for our future generations.
Wash Don’t Waste
There are a couple of bad habits that some children have when they are at the sink. The first is, when brushing their teeth; some kids accidentally leave the tap running. The second bad habit is, when having a wash, it has been found that some kids put on both taps full power, and leave the plug out for longer than required. By keeping an eye on a child’s washing habits, and gently explaining how it is environmental friendly to change their methods, you are actively contributing to the preservation of our planets natural resources.
A common problem in many households is the leaving on of lights around the house. This is often a totally unconscious mistake, but there are ways to encourage children to avoid making this simple error. A simple sticker or small notice could be placed in the room where this happens most; usually the bathroom. Turn it off! Is simple and direct, and for younger children the addition of a cartoon character or fun doodle will prove even more effective. By implementing this environmental friendly advice, the action of turning off lights will become natural for children, in a surprisingly short space of time.
Do Not Litter
Throwing away used packaging without disposing of it properly into a bin is a common problem in some areas. This can be potentially dangerous to local wildlife, as well as encouraging vermin and disease. Many products come with the environmental friendly advice to dispose of the packaging properly, but children are not renowned for their ability to read and follow sensible instructions while reveling in the taste of their favorite treats! By asking the child to put all wrappers, or drink cartons, into their pocket, the way to success is paved. From putting the waste into their pocket, it should be encouraged to find the appropriate bin in order to properly dispose of the rubbish. (FYI: using your email, whether it is gmail.com, yahoomail or anyother type of email, can help you to reduce your use of papers)
Recycling has become more accessible than ever in recent years. Many local councils provide home-owners and tenants with bins that are relevant for a specific recycling purpose. The most popular recyclable materials are: Paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass. For the sake of this article, it is advised that grown-ups, rather than children, deal with glass.
An environmental friendly step is to encourage children to recycle by making them aware of the ‘top 3′ recyclable materials (paper, plastic, aluminum). Do this by making an effort to highlight the material when you are with your child. For example, when finishing a box of cereal make a big deal of putting the empty box into the paper/card recycling bin. Through adults, children have the chance to access information and knowledge that was not available 30, 40 or 50 years ago. By imparting this wisdom, it is possible to encourage environmentally friendly action for now, and the future.