Back to School: 7 Ways to Teach Kids About Environmental Care

At a recent high school scholarship luncheon that I attended in Hawaii, the keynote speaker told them that the future was theirs, and it was their responsibility to shape it for the better. This could not be more true for the world of environmental care. The future of our environment, as well as the problems of global warming, pollution and deforestation, is all in the hands of today's children. This back to school season, take some time to teach kids the importance of protecting the planet. Who knows? Little Johnny could become the next big environmental leader.

Schools across the nation are taking the green initiative, partnering with organizations like the Sierra Club or the Boys and Girl Scouts to teach children basic environmental ethics and practices. You, too, can take a role in showing your children the beauty of our natural world, and why we need to take steps to protect it.

7 Ways to Teach Kids About Environmental Care:

1. Lead by example. Take shorter showers, turn off the lights when you leave a room, recycle newspaper, etc. As your children see you practicing good environmental principles, they will want to emulate you.

2. Ask your children's school teachers to initiate earth-friendly principles in the classroom, such as using recycled material for classroom projects and crafts. Also, petition your school district to cut back on exhaust and vehicle emission pollution by minimizing the time that buses idle their engines.

3. Let your children be creative while being green. For example, the next time Little Suzy goes to a friend's birthday party, have her make her own gift wrap using old newspaper, scratch paper and paper bags decorated with non-toxic paints, stamps, stickers and glitter. This teaches children that being eco-friendly can also be fun and exciting.

4. Purchase subscriptions to environmentally-friendly publications for your children or your children's classroom. You could get National Geographic Kids, or PETA's Animal Times, or the World Wildlife Fund's newsletter.

5. Make produce-shopping a hands-on kids' activity that also shows them the richness of our planet. For example, take your children to a local farm or farmers' market to pick vegetables and fresh fruit.

6. Get your kids involved in hands-on projects that let them connect with the natural earth. So much of what we do is packaged and processed so that we've lost our connection to nature. For example, get your children involved in a small-scale hobby such as raising chickens. This can also teach them economics as they sell eggs to neighbors and friends, while also showing them the life cycle of the planet. Some schools may even give credit or rewards for such a hobby when done in connection with an organization such as your local 4-H club.

7. Start a family tradition and plant a tree while explaining the importance of the forest and the dangers of deforestation, as well as how children can make a difference by helping with tree planting projects and not buying items made from non-regulated forest wood.

Are Your Kids Learning About Environmental Stewardship in School?

Make this back-to-school season a rewarding experience for you, your children and the planet by taking time to teach them the value of saving the earth.