As the world goes through a climate emergency, it’s more important than ever to talk with your children about the concept of sustainability.
Admittedly, it’s difficult to know how to begin the discussion – especially if you’re broaching the topic with young toddlers. But it’s okay to start small by referencing everyday activities such as recycling or littering, and gradually moving on to heavier conversations about our impact on the earth and environment as your child grows up and matures in their thinking.
You can always begin by introducing sustainability to your child in these simple ways:
1. Visiting natural or animal-focused habitats
Australia is renowned worldwide for its commitment to animal conservation, meaning there’s no shortage of family-friendly animal-focused educational spaces to visit.
Sanctuaries are a great way to observe animals roaming around in their natural habitats, and are already a popular weekend or holiday destination for parents and children of all ages. You can incorporate ideas about sustainability throughout your visit by discussing bigger ideas such as climate change, habitat loss, or even poaching.
Zoos and aquariums, though not as free-roaming as sanctuaries tend to be, are also excellent choices for introducing your child to the diversity of animal species on the planet. Many also offer kid-friendly educational classes or activities – a perfect way to nurture a budding interest in the natural world.
2. Improving your recycling or composting at home
Whether you’ve got a recycling or composting project already going, it’s never too late to involve the kids!
Don’t just stick a label onto the bin and expect your children to follow the instructions; instead, discuss why and how recycling and composting can help the planet, and why certain items can or cannot go into the bins.
You can even carry out simple scientific experiments by leaving plastic or biodegradable items out in the sun or garden for a week, and observing how they’ve changed over time. Interactive experiments and on-hand activities are great ways to make abstract aspects of sustainability more understandable for young children and toddlers.
3. Starting your own (mini) garden
Starting a garden at home doesn’t always require a large plot of land, a spacious yard, or even lots of time and resources. Certain vegetables and herbs such as eggplants, sprouts, tomatoes, mint, and basil can thrive even in a tiny kitchen or apartment – plus their fast-growing nature means the childrens will be able to see the fruits of their labor emerge sooner rather than later!
Engage your children further with sustainability-related ideas about where their food comes from, or how food can travel all around the world after it’s been grown. Additional visits to your local farmer’s market or a visit-friendly farm can help supplement these conversations and add a deeper dimension to your daily meals too.
4. Going on family trash pick-ups around your city
Organising a family trash-picking project is a great way to make sustainability relevant to your childrens’ everyday life. Not only does this give you the chance to see and discuss the impacts of littering, but you can bring up related topics such as sea, land, or air pollution.
Of course, certain safety measures should always be followed:
- Always supervise children in an age-appropriate way
- Always wear gloves
- Children should never touch sharp or pointy objects
- Always clean your hands right after finishing your outing
Teaching your child about bigger concepts doesn’t have to be difficult
Sustainability is a pretty big concept, and your child may take a while to grasp the full extent of what it means. But these easy kid-friendly projects are important in building positive lifelong habits and nurturing your child to be a respectful and passionate steward of the earth.
At MindChamps Australia, our educators are constantly striving to nurture Champions who can tap into their inner potential to become leaders of a better tomorrow. Book a tour with your nearest preschool centre to find out how our pedagogy can help your child grow and excel.