Hey Moms and Dads,

Do you see garbage scattered all around in your surroundings while visiting a beach or a public park or maybe just a neighbourhood road? Do you and your little ones help clean these places regularly? Or at least just ensure that you do not add to the garbage? And what about the overall protection of the environment? Do your kids daydream while the water tap runs unattended while they brush their teeth? Or maybe some might just like to pluck leaves and flowers from the trees and plants around. Children are born carefree, and it is not their fault if they don’t seem to understand what the environment is and why is it important to protect it. However, if we start young, we can not only explain better but also help them grow as responsible citizens of this world. Come let us see what are the little areas that make them develop environment friendly habits and how can we help them:

1. Always carry 2 recyclable trash bags while going on a picnic. Encourage your children to separate dry and wet waste. Teach them to carry the bags along until you find dustbins to dispose of them.
2. Take them to factories and other industrial units where dry waste is recycled. Also, teach them how to make compost using wet waste. You can also try showing them documentaries about the same or reading books that teach such processes.
3. Educate them about renewable and non-renewable resources. They know water comes from taps, but they don’t understand scarcity. So, explain in a fun way without scaring them about it.
4. Talk to them about what is environment and its importance – plants give food, cows and buffaloes give milk, rain gives water, some plants also give clothes to wear like cotton or jute etc. It is important to tell stories about the lives that the kids see around them every day. It helps them relate better. So, it is best to take them to parks on a long walk and explain the importance of the environment when they can see it.
5. Take them to clean up drives on beaches and in parks and explain the importance. This will not only give them a sense of environmental awareness but also give them a sense of achievement and belief in themselves. It will make them confident of doing good for the world. When they believe they can do good, they will grow up to do so all their lives.
6. Go green as much as possible. Make living close to nature and in the natural environment. Make it fun by playing more outdoor games, teach them the importance of switching off unnecessary lights and other electronic gadgets.

By introducing these little fun things in day-to-day life, we are sure to grow a more environment-friendly generation for our little ones.