Ways to raise Environmental consciousness in children

Reading Time: 8 minutes

I’m the water, consuming all my kindness for alteration
And Momma ain’t lying for her daughter
Oh, I know on mother earth I see the weather so I’m not gonna cover up the freckles on my faces
I, I covered all the bases

-Mother Earth

We all have one subject environmental science in school but unfortunately, nobody pays attention to them. Having said that, Now everyone is crazy about consuming organic food without any info about what organic actually is! strange!!!! isn’t it?

If any packaged food says organic, without any investigation people are mad at it. But they have no idea what is going on behind the scene, what is the actual story, where does it come from etc.  

 A whole lot of schools, collages education system, school projects are trying to push forward child towards environmental awareness. but the main point is: Why are we spending so much time on spreading awareness rather than taking concrete action on environmental issues? 

We believe a child’s first education starts at home & parents are their first teacher. moreover,

When it comes to environmental awareness, One must first understand what the term environmentalism and environmental awareness mean.

 According to Pachamama Alliance,

     “Environmentalism is an ideology that evokes the necessity and responsibility of humans to respect, protect, and preserve the natural world from its anthropogenic afflictions” and “environmental awareness is to understand the fragility of our environment and the importance of its protection.” 

Now we are going to sound a bit controversial. but we aren’t sorry about it. if it is the truth we have to say it. before the COVID- 19 pandemic, when Greta Thunberg was shouting in UNN about climate changed nobody was paying attention to her. But after COVID-19 pandemic, the world has forced to believe that in order to live a happy & fulfil life you need your comfort along with nature’s comfort.

Getting your child to be eco-conscious may sound complicated, but it is quite simple. It’s good to teach children these skills at their tender age because they will be a part of their characters to adulthood. It will benefit them and let’s not kid ourselves the world at large because we need more environmentally conscious adults too.  

Here are some ways you can make your child aware regarding environmental conscience. 

1.Spend time in nature 

What can be the best way to learn about something than spending time on it. Instead of keeping them cooped up in the house & tell them about nature & when there is fair weather, you should take them to places like parks to play, out fishing, for bicycle rides and on hiking trails or even for camping.

Let them feel the water of rain, the hotness of summer & the dazzling cold wind in winter. Allow them to play with seasonal blossoms if possible. Let them explore the beauty of nature and appreciate how the planet functions and how each creature has a place in the chain. Cause as we all know, You can love something or work for it only if you understand it and feel close to it.     

one study that has come out recently, that if you put earthing or grounding on a daily schedule you will live longer than ever!

you might be thinking what!? but YES!

many people think it as airy-fairy made up rubbish but the concept has been scientifically proven.

let me share a new truth with you – if you go to google to search about any disease that disease will most likely end up to cancer at last!

this is something we don’t have any control over. all the theories about all disease, research paper has been manipulated by the government, or companies for their own benefit. OKK, lets get back to the topic.

Grounding or earthing, in a nutshell, is a simple process of walking on the earth’s surface in a barefoot. even though there are others way of doing it but this is something which is the most natural way of going about it. the benefit is enormous includes the neutralisation of free radicals it improves sleeps cycle, helps with pain management, reduce stress, improves immunity, inflammation. so go to the dirt or natural grass with barefoot & see the change.

2. Know the science, read books on nature and the environment.

Without knowledge doing something is shooting in the dark. Hence, make sure your child knows about natures; at least some trees names, some flowers name, some fruits name etc.

teaching them about oil drilling, deforestation, the impact of plastic Goods on the environment: Find some books, magazines, watch discovery channel, national geography, history channel, watch animals, birds, snakes, discover species on the planet, know their history gather as much knowledge as possible about nature. This will gradually increase their interest in nature.       

3.Love of animals

We all love animal! Aren’t we? & child love them too. If you have a child in your home you know this better. Animals are one major part of nature. If nature is polluted your puppy will get affected, thus,  

Start by having a pet when they are children such as a hamster, bird, fish, a cat or even a family dog.

Involve the children in activities with the family pet such as taking them for walks and feeding them better still you can also take them to the zoo once in a while, where they will see lots of other animals. Then explain to them how important it is to keep the environment clean as waste harms animals and makes it unsafe for them to live in their habitats.

Give examples such as waste in waterways that harm fish especially plastic. When you instill this knowledge in your children at an early age, it will help them to grow up to be responsible citizens aware of how they treat their surroundings.

4.Correct use of water & food  

We want to quote Mike Tyson here, “ if are not humble, life will visit humbleness upon you”  

Teaching your child about the correct use of food & water can give them the right direction in life. This is the most underrated skill everyone avoid/ ignore.

Don’t forget about lower the water usage in your household. Teaching your kids to turn off the tap when they are done with one task. It is not too hard to do. Why should you waste water between brushing your teeth, washing hands or washing out the shampoo and applying conditioner to the hair while showering! it doesn’t make any sense right?

Giving extra food to anyone who is hungry or to any hungry animal or pet, keeping water in the balcony for birds on summer, this kind of small step will teach them about kindness & will form their character. 

5.Gardening 

Growing plants, watering them time to time, playing in the soil make child appreciate the law of nature, correspondingly playing in clean soil helps their body to get good bacteria. Which help for digestion in our body.

 A great idea can be planting trees on birthday or on an occasion. Also, take them along for tree planting exercises set up by different organizations especially during days such as Earth Day.

In the process teach them how trees work well for the environment and why it is important not to cut them down. You can also have an art project where you cut out pictures of different types of trees found in your area and explain to them some of their characteristics. 

6. Take part in environmental seminars, campaigns and movements

Gather a group of people & do it! 

You can organise carpools to minimise the use of cars. You can arrange tree planting or gardening exercises where you bring your children together and teach them about the importance of plant life. You can even organise play dates where you make objects or use toys made from recycled materials such as cardboard boxes and bottles.

Because children have little experience, they tend to view the world in the present. When children study nature, they are able to expand their perspective to include the past, present, and future.

They can learn about how the Earth used to be and how nature has evolved over the aeons. Children can see how the evolution of both nature and humanity have resulted in our environment’s current state & how we can make it to the better. 

7.let them help with recycling

You might have watched videos of animals & other species eating plastic unconsciously or some funny YouTube videos about plastics or read the news of how big companies are throwing their waste on the sea in a country like Thailand, Vietnam.

Teaching your kid the importance of recycling & how from waste you can produce electricity is a big game. In-country like the UK, Poland use the energy from the waste & give it back to the community.

8.take them to the market

One in a while taking them to the market, tell them about what is good for them to buy & what isn’t. what is best for the environment & what isn’t. teaching them that their buying habit will affect our environment can go far long. it also helps people to build up their knowledge about the market & later on this thing going to help them.

9.Teach your Kids About Solar Power

The sun is the source of all energies in this world & non-harmful too. therefore, it’s important to understand its uses for our own benefit. & while doing this they will understand about nature’s own beauty & the way things work which science has not been discovered yet. The power of sunlight over our lives as well as our mental being.

10.Introduce Them to Everything Local

& now after the COVID-19 pandemic government has told everyone to be self-reliant (atmanirbhar), visit the farmer’s market a fun family activity.

It’s also the perfect opportunity to explain to your little ones where food really comes from and that the earth is a resource that nourishes us but also needs tending. Teach your kids about buying local, supporting farmers and eating healthily.

Here are some FAQs

now we have completed this article we have a question for you. how many of you like gardening & have you done it? Share your experience with us.we will jump on the most interesting conversation. & until next time bye & take care! lots of life for you guys from our side.