Winmore

“The nature and environment is only for today”, said no parent ever.

A healthy environment with clean air and water, green spaces devoid of plastic, is an indicator of people’s quality of life. As someone who is doing their part in conserving nature and ensuring it is sustained for future generations, you may want to get your children on the path to green living.

Here is how you can raise eco-conscious and environment-friendly kids:

1. Be an eco-role model
   Creating habits inside and outside the house has got a lot to do with the lifestyle that you lead. Your children are bound to follow suit when they see you avoiding plastic straws, have more of home cooked food or even rely on public transport for commute.

2. Teach them the importance of trees
   Planting a tree in your backyard with your child is a great way of showing them the need for more trees. When you have a great time digging, planting and watering, they may even become excited about contributing towards the environment. As they get involved in the whole process and become eco-aware, they learn to appreciate and value what they have more.

3. Conserve energy
   Do you remember to switch off the lights when they are not needed? Turn off the TV when nobody is watching and decide what you need before opening the refrigerator door. Encourage children to opt for toys with reusable or rechargeable batteries.

4. Small things aren’t so small
   Carrying bottle of water from home while on a trip would prevent you from buying water in plastic bottles on the way. Clay containers that our grandparents used in their times is in vogue now. Clay bottles also ensure that the water remains cooler for a longer time.

5. Recycling
   Recycling tremendously cuts down on the waste that is generated. Have a bin for recyclable products and encourage children to be conscious about the trash they are generating. Sometimes, containers can be reused in multiple ways and pen refills can be bought in place of buying a whole plastic pen.

6. Participation in community efforts
   If you are part of a residence association, you may already have people working against pollution and resource exhaustion. When your children are involved in such collective efforts, they will have a wider perspective on how they are helping the society at large. Even through fun activities, children will learn to do their part from a young age when their mind is susceptive and fresh.

Protecting nature need not be a taxing, cumbersome activity. Even DIY projects that involve recycling and reusing things can teach children some valuable things. You’ll find lots of them online. Rely on natural medicines than over the counter ones to get relief from common cold or fever.

Above all, spending time with nature itself will drive home the need to protect our nature. Waterfalls, trekking trails, wildlife sanctuaries and so on are good destinations while considering your next family trip.