5 ways to teach your kids about sustainable living

Posted by Erin on 02.27.2012 at 7:13 am

Guest post by blogger Rubela Jhonnie

In order to leave behind a better world for our children, it is important for them to be well aware of protecting the environment. Children can make a difference if you teach them about sustainability and empower them to appreciate and preserve the environment. Here are 5 ways in which you can do that for your children.

1. Plant a garden

The best way to teach children about sustainability is to plant a vegetable garden with their help. It need not be an elaborate garden as you can just start with some tomatoes and some herbs for your daily kitchen needs. Encourage your children to plant their favorite fruit trees or vegetables and make sure you go totally organic. Let them water the plants and help you fertilize the garden with natural compost, or even prepare for them natural pest remedies which they can spray on the plants. They will be participating in the growth of the food produce which will make them feel more responsible towards nature. This will instill the value of appreciating nature but also what goes into the food that we eat and what is healthy.

Book pick: “Green Thumbs”

2. Start a rainwater collection area

Why let all the excess rain water drain off when you can encourage the kids to start a rainwater collection project for your garden and washing the car. This will teach them about conserving our natural resources.

Book pick: “One Well”

3. Start a compost pile & participate in a community garden

Creating your own compost pile with the help of children can be great fun for them as well as a learning process. Children will appreciate how the food wastes are utilized as organic garden fertilizer. If you do not have a big garden or the time for creating your own compost pile, you can involve your kids in a local community garden to plant their own trees and vegetables. Most of these community gardens allow for sharing the bounty with others. This is a cycle of sustainable living which children can learn to appreciate as they share with others.

Book pick: “Compost Stew”

4. Eat natural food
You can make the vegetables appear colorful and pleasing to the eyes as children are naturally attracted to colors. You can even pick out the menu together by evaluating the nutritional contents of each meal. This will be a great way of instilling the idea and importance of nutrients, vitamins and minerals which have various benefits for their bodies.

Book pick: “The Supernatural Kids Cookbook”

5. Buy from your farmers market

Buy local grown vegetables which are not only healthy but fresh and safe. Take the children along to see the produce during the weekends and allow them to choose the vegetables they prefer. Explain to them that you buy from the local market not only for the freshness of the produce but also to help augment the local economy. This will give them an idea of how they too can contribute towards this healthy practice.

By making small changes in the area where your children live, they will be helping immensely towards creating a better world. Encourage your children to be a part of that world and always appreciate them for their hard work and efforts towards sustainable living.

Book pick: “We Eat Food That’s Fresh”

What is your favorite way to teach your children, or students, about living a sustainable lifestyle?

*Note* The above guest post is from Better World Books fan Rubela Jhonnie. This content does not necessarily reflect the views of Better World Books (as our lawyers make sure we say). We love having guest bloggers and invite you to email 11@betterworldbooks.com if you are interested in covering a book or topic on the BWB Blog. Thank you, Rubela, for sharing your ideas to encourage our kids to be more green!

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