Talking About Green

If you’ve made the switch to green products, started recycling in your house, and are mindful of green practices you have taken some big steps in the right direction. But what about your loved ones? How can you inspire your kids to make positive and earth conscious choices?  There are several fun, educational, and safe ways to involve children in green initiatives that provide them with a solid basis of environmental responsibility for the future.

1. Re-use items for craft projects. Save yogurt containers for painting projects or plant starter seeds in old egg cartons. Popsicle sticks, toothpicks, and paper bags can also come in handy for arts and crafts with younger children. A used coffee can is a great place for the family to throw Popsicle sticks or other small items that can be re-used.

2. Consider different forms of transportation such as travelling by bicycle. Having your child start riding a bicycle to a friend’s house instead of pestering you for a ride each day can greatly reduce the pollutants your car may be emitting. Granted, this should only apply to friend’s houses that are nearby, in safe neighborhoods, and not along any busy streets. In many cases transport by bicycle is safe and has positive effects on physical fitness, not to mention it saves you the trouble of making an extra car trip.

Additionally, setting up carpools with other parents in your area who can take turns driving the kids to school is a good way to reduce your carbon footprint.

If carpools are not an option for you, encourage your child to try riding the school bus. More often than not, children enjoy having time before school to socialize with their friends and the school bus gives them a perfect opportunity to do so.

3. Reduce your contribution to the landfill and greenhouse gases by composting. Starting a worm bin is an easy and efficient method of processing mulchable waste like kitchen scraps, paper towels, and yard clippings.

You can involve your child in this process by letting them help pick the worms you will put in the bin, assist in mixing a livable substrate made of water, dirt, and shredded paper, and bringing their own kitchen scraps back to the bin each night after dinner. Not only will your child experience a greater connection with nature and the world around them, they will also begin to gain a basic understanding of their own role in the natural process of re-use

5. Get hands on. Don’t wait for Arbor Day to get outside and plant a tree. Most kids will take any chance they can get to get a little dirty. This is a great opportunity to show your children how easy it is to make a positive impact on their community and the earth by taking a moment to plant a tree. By giving a small seedling a new start your child can be a part of a permanent improvement in the world while becoming more aware of their personal impact on it.

Sarah Danielson writes for BluWiki where you can find Burke Williams Coupons and Dove Coupons.