As parents, guardians or educators we all strive to instill positive values and behavior patterns in young children. One such value is environmental responsibility, which can educate children about their interconnectedness with the environment and foster a sense of stewardship. As millennials, we have a responsibility to shape future generations that are sensitive to the world’s needs. So, what are some ways to teach 7-year-olds to be environmentally responsible?
- Lead by Example.
Children tend to emulate the actions or behavior traits demonstrated by adults around them. As such, one of the best ways to teach environmental responsibility is by establishing eco-friendly habits that kids can emulate. Start a compost, practice water conservation, use recyclable items, and switch to energy-efficient home appliances. Explain why it is important to take on such practices with simplistic explanations such as energy conservation saves money, or plastic bags are bad for animals.
- Educate Them
An important part of teaching children to be environmentally responsible is nurturing their curiosity and expanding their knowledge of environmental issues. Encourage children to understand the impact of human activities on the environment. Teach children how to identify useful and harmful materials and how to dispose of them properly. You can also involve children in environmental activities such as planting trees, cleaning the streets or participating in local environmental programs.
- Animal Protection
Children are naturally drawn to animals and learning about their habitats and lives can inspire environmentalism. Teach kids to be aware of animal welfare and to avoid activities that harm animals, including littering, or throwing away leftover food where animals can eat it. Teach children about the consequences of litter and how it affects the ecosystem, and see if you can also teach them to differentiate between edible and non-tasty things that can affect animals and plants.
- Make it a Game
Learning can be fun when you gamify it. Incorporating environmental education into games can teach your children environmental responsibility in an encouraging way. For instance, family members can compete in activities such as finding and sorting recyclables, using natural resources such as water, or identifying trees and flowers. These games usually not only entertain children which makes other activities seem less of a chore, but also make them develop a more positive attitude about caring for the environment.
- Walk the Talk
Living in a fast-paced world makes it difficult for all of us to downsize and have simpler lifestyles. However, doing so can help a great deal in environmental stewardship. Instead of relying on transportation during short distances, encourage children to walk or cycle, and make it a family activity. This not only inculcates exercise into your children’s lifestyles, but also reduces your carbon footprint, plastic usage, and fuel consumption. Promote responsible use of resources in the family by regulating temperature, water usage, and energy-saving practices.
- Make Environmental Education Conversational
Talking about environmental issues can be boring, especially for young children. However, there are ways to make it more conversational to children. Use stories, personal experiences, and games that embed environmental messages into them. Talk to them about how recycling can help conserve resources, how global warming is real, and how conservation of wildlife benefits all living things.
- Engage Them in Outdoors Activities
The greatest inspiration comes from outdoor activities that make young children appreciate the beauty of nature. When children experience the majesty and wonder of nature for themselves, they often become committed to protecting it. Encourage them to explore nature by hiking, stargazing, camping, rock climbing, and visiting eco-parks. Remember to educate them along the way on the consequences of human activities on such environments.
it is vital that we teach our children environmental responsibility at an early age. The home environment is the easiest place to start, by creating eco-friendly habits that kids can emulate, educating them, engaging them in outdoor activities, and talking about the environment in a conversational way. Our children are the future care takers of our planet; it is up to us to inspire them to be good stewards of their natural environment.
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Statistical Data
| Dimension | Description |
|---|---|
| Users | . However, according to a survey conducted by the National Environmental Education Foundation, parents were the primary teacher for their 7yearold child when it comes to teaching about the environment. The survey also revealed that 55% of parents found reading books about the environment helpful in teaching their children about environmental responsibility, while 49% found talking with their children about reducing waste and conserving resources helpful. Other effective ways were going outside and exploring nature (45%) and watching ageappropriate educational videos (35%). |
