Holistic Families Teaching Children to Live Green
Table of Contents
Teach children how to live an environmentally friendly life by incorporating green practices into daily living.
Green Cleaning with Children
Most parents avoid letting children use chemical cleaning products. But, once a family switches to environmentally friendly cleaning products, even young children can participate in cleaning.
White vinegar mixed with water in a spray bottle is a safe, environmentally friendly, all-purpose cleaner. Children can use it to wash mirrors or clean counters and tabletops. Baking soda is also a safe cleaner that can be used to clean sinks and to scrub baked-on food from pots and pans.
Minimize Packaging
Avoid buying foods in individual serving size packages. Instead of buying juice boxes, invest in a washable drink container to fill with juice or milk.
Buy a large box of crackers and put lunch box sized servings in small food storage containers. Instead of plastic water bottles, buy a reusable water bottle for each family member.
Make Foods from Scratch
Prepackaged foods create a lot of waste. Cooking from scratch not only cuts back on the packaging but saves money as well. Cooking with children is a great way to spend some quality time in the kitchen and teach children environmental responsibility at the same time.
Teach Children to Recycle
Involve children in household recycling. While sorting cans and bottles, children will learn organizational skills as well as the importance of recycling. If possible, bring children to the recycling center on a regular basis so they can see what happens to cans, bottles, and papers that they have helped sort.
Holistic Families Practice Green Shopping
Green shopping can entail buying local or organic foods when possible. Get children involved in looking for organic labels at the grocery store.
Set a good example by bringing reusable cloth shopping bags instead of relying on the store’s plastic bags.
Green shopping can also mean shopping at garage sales and thrift stores for gently used clothing, toys and household items.
Grow a Garden
Children love to participate in a family garden. Holistic parents can let children choose some vegetable seeds, plant the seeds, and help care for the garden. The whole family gets to enjoy the rewards.
Cut Back on Paper Products
Choose rags instead of paper towels and cloth napkins instead of paper. Don’t use disposable cleaning products like bathroom wipes. Avoid paper plates and cups. Children will learn that these throwaway products are not an everyday option.
Many families also choose to use cloth diapers. Some holistic families even choose to use cloth toilet “paper” and cloth menstrual pads.
Be a Good Environmental Role Model
Don’t just give lip service to green living. Children will live what they have learned, so practice being environmental daily. Drive a car that gets good gas mileage, conserves electricity and water, and be thoughtful with purchases to send the message that the environment is everyone’s responsibility.
Holistic families can make a commitment to the environment. A part of that commitment can involve teaching children to be responsible caretakers of the Earth. Here are some tips to begin living green with children.