Helping Your Kids Be "Green"

Teaching your children to think "green' can be fun and well worthwhile. Even the young preschooler can start learning ways to be healthier and help our environment. The earlier children are introduced to certain routines, the better chance of those children continuing on those same routines, as they get older. So why not start out with routines that are healthier and more natural and environmentally friendly? Here are some easy to remember suggestions for going "green" with your kids.

Using The Water

Kids love water. But water can be wasted very easily and kids can learn early on some ways to use the water carefully. When they wash their hands at the sink, show kids how to keep the water turned down to a stream-like flow. While this is not as fun as having it flow at full force and splashing it around, it is a good habit to start early. When kids are brushing their teeth, the water does not need to be running the entire time. Try having them keep the water off until its time to rinse their pearly whites! Little kids, like my three-year-old son, love water. It is really why he will brush his teeth and wash his hands at all...playing with the water opportunity. So, it may be challenging to restrict or limit water flow with little ones, but starting now is one way to eventually get the idea to stick.

Older kids that may be helping out in the kitchen can try washing fruits and vegetables in a bowl instead of running water to help with conservation.

Toxic Chemicals in the home

It is not a good idea to use antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers in your home. These contain chemicals that could possibly be harmful after prolonged use. These soaps actually kill good bacteria as well as the bad, and could be encouraging growth of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Kids hands can get clean with natural soap and warm water and good old scrubbing their hands together and rinsing well.

Try using organic shampoos for family members, and your pets. Instead of chemically treating for bugs, fleas, and flies, use non-toxic solutions. The Internet has lots of resources for nontoxic remedies you can make and use in your home for pest control.

An alternative for Lice instead of the harsh chemicals at the store is smearing lots and lots of mayonnaise or Vaseline over the child's head. Then cover with a shower cap for the night. Might not be too comfortable for sleeping, but at least you are not putting chemicals in your child's hair and scalp! In the morning wash hair thoroughly.

Energy Use

Teach kids to turn off lights leaving a room. Teach them not to turn lights on during the day (I will find my 3yr.old in his room with his light on even with sun shining through his window!). Start the routine of unplugging the TV and computers when going to bed. Kids love to stand and gaze into the refrigerator (maybe hoping if they stare long enough some "magical" goodie will appear...) so remind them to look quickly and close the door. Try getting the kids to put on sweater and a hat if they are cold before putting on the heater. When it is hot, teach kids to try other alternatives before turning on the AC. Try keeping blinds down and curtains closed to block out the sun's heat. Open windows at opposite ends of the house to cool it off.

Dealing with Waste

Recycling with your kids can be a fun activity. Even younger kids can help sort through old newspapers, magazines, and junk mail. Have different bins for putting each item in. Games can be made out of guessing what items you have are recyclable and which are not.

A trip to a landfill can show kids that throw away doesn't really mean away. Seeing the landfills might motivate recycling efforts with older kids.

Green Food Habits

Start a garden with your children. They can learn about eating healthy fruits and vegetables by growing their own. Kids can learn about the seasons, and which fruits and vegetables grow best in each season. Let them use their garden treasures in snacks and meals...kids love to plan menus.... help them start out early with creating nutritious menu planning.

When kids are done eating their fruits and vegetables, teach them that the uneaten parts do not have to be thrown away. Instead, get the kids involved in composting (great for the garden!) and not throwing away left over food scraps and coffee grounds, etc. Take a trip to a local Farmer's Market. Older kids can have a shopping list they have come up with that will help them prepare a nutritious healthy meal using organic local produce.

For kitchen leftovers, try using reusable containers instead of plastic Baggies and aluminum foil.

Transportation

Walk with your kids whenever possible. Maybe the local library is in walking distance? Or the neighborhood Mailbox? If their school is not too far, maybe you can walk with the kids to school instead of driving once or twice a week?

Plan weekly menus and shopping needs for the entire week to try and cut down on trips to the store.

Older kids can try taking the bus to school.

Carpool whenever possible, and encourage your older kids to as well.

Bikes can be a fun way to get around for the older kids, and you too!

Getting your kids to live "green" is healthy and good for the environment. Include the whole family in brainstorming ways to be "green" in your home and in your lifestyle.

Good habits are as easy to learn as bad ones, so encourage only the very best habits for your children and start early.

Have you been "green" today?