Imagine for a moment what our society would be like today if we had all learned as children that caring for the environment was something as basic as it was fundamental. Think about the difference that incorporating recycling, composting, respect for animals, rejection of single-use plastics into our daily habits could have made. Today, all of that would be as natural to us as brushing our teeth at night.
Would it be an ideal world? We don’t know, but at least we wouldn’t have the discussions we have today regarding whether or not climate change is a priority (or even a reality!), its consequences and possible solutions.
The good news is that more and more adults are learning that this is a necessity, that it requires us to learn things we didn’t know, to be interested, to commit ourselves. And not just for us! But above all for the next generations, for children and young people, who today more than ever teach us that environmental care is an urgent and necessary issue.
To contribute to this change, as adults we can help children learn to care for the environment. How? Playing! What better way is there to learn something? Here we share some ideas! You too can have fun and learn! Don’t be surprised if the children know more than you.
Separate by color
Learning to separate waste with children can be as fun as it is challenging. In principle, we can assemble trash cans by color with them: paint them, line them with paper, or any other idea that avoids buying them.
Then, we will show them that we will throw only organic remains that can be used as compost in the basket of that color and we will tell them what we can and should not throw there. We can even make a picture of this and stick it on the fridge or near the basket so that we all remember it.
In another basket, we will place plastics (clean and dry) and we will play the challenge that there is less and less garbage here. Another container will be for paper and cardboard, another for glass and bottles (which we can even play at giving them a new use), and finally another for the rest of the waste.
guardians of the water
To teach children and practice the value of water and the importance of its care, we can invite them to be its guardians. What does this mean? Assign them the important task of checking that all the taps are turned off when they go to sleep, and make sure that everyone in the house turns off the water when they brush their teeth or wash the dishes to avoid wasting it.
Manufacturers
We will invite the children to play in the factory and bring materials to reuse, such as bottles, waste paper, jars, lids, and anything else. We will play to give them a new use with our imagination: we will build an instrument, an ornament, a toy, or whatever our fantasy proposes. And then, we will share, we will play with them or we will find a place for them at home.
These are just a few ideas. You can create many more according to what you see that children are interested in! The important thing is that they feel accompanied by you, that you are interested, that it is important, and you will see how little by little they will incorporate it and even encourage you to continue doing so.
Taking care of nature, animals and people is part of a conscious and loving upbringing. Do not forget!
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Child Guide