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Growing Green Children

Posted by Lisa Carey

How can I teach my children or about going green and making green choices? As a parent, former educator, and now writer, this is a question that I hear quite often. But what is the answer? Read on for 10 tried and true tips for teaching your children to go green and grow green.

When my oldest (now 20) was younger, I remember repeating the often used phrases from my childhood:
"Turn off the lights! We're not made of money."
"Shut the door, do you think I want to heat/air condition the outside?"

Back then I was more concerned about the green I would have to spend, not the green that I would be able to save.

But times have changed, and with it many of my ideas and values regarding teaching my children about being green and making green choices. Now, I have a second chance at teaching them, with two children under the age of 4 in the home. So as a mother of four children, college to crib, here are my tried and true tips for parents, to help you teach your children, of any age, about going green and making green choices.

1. Set the example. Whether your children are adults or toddlers it is important that they first see you making green choices. These choices can include changing the light bulbs in the home to energy efficient ones, recycling, reusing, reducing and using canvas bags for shopping. Don't know where to begin or just need more ideas for things to do that will not only save you green but help you to set the example on how to be green read "20 Tips to Saving Money,Energy and the Environment"

2. Greet green. Use on-line greeting card sources like Blue Mountain (some are free and some are for pay) to send greeting cards and gifts. Don't know where you can get free greeting cards? Try this article: "Go Green and Save Green with these free E-Card Sites"

   This can be especially useful for sending gifts or greetings to your children for good grades or encouragement. You can also create your own greeting cards from recycled materials in your home. Save old greeting cards, cardboard, ribbons, and other gift items to create your own designer greeting cards for the holidays, like Easter, Mother's Day and New Years. Children of all ages (even my teenager) enjoy pulling out our recycled materials and seeing what designer one of a kind greeting card we can create for special occasions.

3. Use visual aids. This is especially helpful with younger children. PBS Kids shows like Clifford, Sesame Street and Arthur all have episodes regarding keeping the environment clean, saving water and electricity. Nick Jr and Noggin Shows also offer Dora the Explorer, Diego, Wonder Pets, and Yo Gabba Gabba shows that feature taking care of the environment. Walk through the video store in the kids and family aisle and find those videos that will help you talk to your children. Or better yet, visit the local library and borrow them for green - saving yourself some green and growing your kids green.

For older children or teens take a road/field trip. Drive to an area land fill. Once your children can see AND smell what the huge piles of trash are like they too will reconsider some of their choices. Take your children to an area beach and let them see the trash scattered about and ask them to help pick it up, they will see that trash is no "day at the beach." You can also appeal to their love of the computer, select YouTube videos that show the damage and destruction that trash does to our lakes and streams or evidence of trash and its impact and harm to animals.

4. Talk to your children. Even children as young as preschoolers can understand when Mommy says, "Use the other side of the paper," or "Don't throw that away, we can recycle it," or "Please put that in the recycling container. Tell them why we do these things, such as "We use the other side so we don't waste paper, or make more trash or to save money so we can buy other things." When they are older you can discuss the trash at school or sporting events and even help and encourage them to start their own environmentally friendly activities.
5. Organize environmentally friendly or energy saving events at local schools, neighborhoods, sporting events. Does your football, baseball or soccer field have recycling containers? Or maybe a resale program so that outgrown uniforms and protective gear can be used by another family? My daughter was a cheerleader and we had to purchase her uniform. One year later it was outgrown and we had another $75.00 purchase to make. Instead, we purchased parts of the uniform from another family, sold our old one to another and three families benefitted. Not only do these programs help to save green, but they reduce the amount of goods just tossed into the trash also. Through these programs your child not only learns the value of "green" by saving money, but the value of finding new uses for old things.
6. Clean Green. In our household, while mom does the majority of the household chores, the children all have their tasks too, even the oldest when he is home from college. Use green cleaning supplies like microfiber cleaning clothes instead of paper towels, make you own cleaners and air fresheners or use eco-friendly cleaners like Arm and Hammer Essentials, which to be honest are an essential in our household. Not only do they clean great, but they are made with plants and are good for the environment.
7. Go green with Gadgets. Teenagers especially love their gadgets. The next time they want a new one, direct them to Sears.com or Staples.com where they can find out how they can trade their old gadgets (mp3 players, DVD players, computers, cell phones and many other products) to earn credit toward new gadgets. You can also help them with selling it on line on sites like Craigslist or EBay. With Sears you can print out the shipping label, mail it in and get a Sears gift card in the mail. You kids are happy, they got their new gadget and you are happy you saved some money. And every one learns the value of reusing and reducing waste.

   If using a traditional store site you can even save gas and time by having your new item shipped to you instead of a drive to the mall or store. Consider free cycle, craigslist, or other "trading" or buying sites to get what you want. Be sure if picking up from someone to schedule a time and safe spot as well as let someone know where you are going. Take a friend with you, be safe while shopping and saving.

   Note: Parents when using online shopping services please such as these be sure to help your children and ensure their on line safety.

8. Offer them Green. It's true, sadly so, that money is a great motivator. Try these tactics: every month when you get your bills review how much you spent last year during the same month for electricity or gas - if you saved money this year you are going in the right direction. Celebrate with a "bonus" allowance, special purchase, or dinner out. You can also help them with can collections and recycling. The kids get to keep the money they earn.
9. Introduce green toys. Try to introduce toys and games that require no batteries. Batteries are harmful to your children and the environment. SEE Environmentally Friendly Toys has a small selection of toys for girls and boys, but you can also direct your children when making their toy choices to those that don't need batteries or to those that can use recycled batteries.
10. Family fun going green. Use services like NetFlix.xom or Blockbuster.com for your movie nights, saving you time on the road and gas. Have family game nights, not only will you grow closer as a family but you can grow green without needing the expense of going out to have fun. Other online services you can use for entertainment include children's game sites like PBSkids.org, Sesame Street, Barbie.com and many others. You can even read stories online at Book Pals Storyline with books read by celebrities.

Teaching your children to grow green and to make green choices as they grow really takes three simple steps. While teaching your children to go green you will also be helping yourself with your efforts and save a ton of money. Say and show your children what to do, do what you say to do and always provide them with positive reinforcement when they do go green and make green choices whether they are 3 or 30. The rest will come naturally.

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