When thinking and talking about the future of the planet, the outcome of our actions will largely affect future generations. But that doesn’t mean we should leave them to it. As adults, it’s our role to inspire the next generation to embrace sustainable practices and a sense of responsibility by giving them the tools and knowledge on how their actions can have a positive impact on the environment they will inherit.
If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve got you! Here are some ways to help them adopt a love for the natural world and foster sustainable habits:
Make it Fun
Young minds learn better when we make things fun. My daughter is a huge fan of Horrible Histories, and she remembers things from history because she’s learnt it in a fun way – the Monarch song is my favourite (At the age of 44, I finally know all the British Monarchs…in order!)
- Be creative – Children of a young age have an incredible imagination. Search for eco-friendly activities or innovative projects to ignite their imagination. Create bird feeders and homes from hedgehogs from recycled materials like newspapers, plastic bottles, and cardboard boxes.
- Turn it into a game – Encourage them to take part in scavenger hunts and make it a competition to see who can spot the most from nature.
- Stories – there are many books that help children to better understand environmental issues without scaring them. It will also highlight that there is something they can do.
Take Action
Children are naturally helpful, and giving them the guidance to act is a powerful step in making a positive change.
- Making choices – Talk to them about how important it is to turn off the tap while brushing their teeth and turn off the lights when it’s not needed. Teach them the importance of recycling and waste management and encourage them to take part. As kids love getting their hands dirty, think about getting a compost bin and start composting food waste (if you have the space)
- Your local community – Participate in local litter picks or even take them to the beach and pick up rubbish that has been left behind. Some communities have tree planting activities or tend to community gardens. Community involvement shows them the power of teamwork.
- Be a role model – You can lead by example by implementing sustainable practices in your daily life. If you have a farmer’s market nearby, why not take them along? They will see that food doesn’t always come in plastic bags, carrying a water bottle when you’re out and about, and even using reusable shopping bags whenever you need to go out.
Connect with Nature
There have been many studies that show having access to green spaces help to boost mental health and well-being.
- Get outside – If you have areas locally like a beach, national park, or forest – enjoy them. Allowing children to explore nature will help them observe wildlife and appreciate how everything is connected. Going on bike rides is a great way to explore nature.
- Seeds – Encourage them to plant a seed (even if it’s on your windowsill) and give them the responsibility of looking after it. Before long, it will spout and start talking to them about the process of plant life.
Thinking
Many parents will remember the ‘why’ phase; regardless of what you said, every response was ‘why’. Children are naturally curious, and it helps them, in their own way, to understand and process a situation.
- Answer the ‘why’ – Explain the importance of sustainability and how it affects future generations. This will probably create more ‘why’ questions, but bear with them; they’re learning. If you’re stuck, Google can help. Their brains are like little sponges; they’re eager to learn.
- Talk openly – Encourage open conversations about environmental challenges or discuss something they may have heard on TV. Some of these discussions may involve complex problems or be a little uncomfortable, but they are important. They’ll probably appreciate your honesty.
- Different angles – When talking about energy conservation or climate action, encourage them to think about a topic from a different perspective. This helps with critical thinking and will help them develop their own opinions based on the information they have.
Hope
Hope is a powerful state of mind that boosts willpower and optimism.
- Environmental activists – Introduce them to other environmental activist role models like Greta Thunberg, David Attenborough, and others who are passionate about environmental stewardship.
- Celebrate – Take notice and appreciate their efforts of working towards a more sustainable future. Something I have always said is ‘Start small, do what you can, build from there’.
- Making a connection – Connecting sustainability to their interests will spark their love further. If they’re into ‘techy’ things, speak to them about sustainable technology. If they’re fascinated by animals in the jungle, talk to them about conservation projects that have been set up to protect habitats.
By embracing just some of these, you can help young children better understand how they can interact with nature and have a positive environmental impact. Nurturing their curiosity can help them fight for the future of our planet.
This has been written by my friend Raakhee Stratton, a UK-based eco-blogger and author of Easy Peasy Greeny. Currently studying towards a BSc Environmental Science and passionate about working towards sustainable living by learning and sharing ideas.