Be an Example
In addition to teaching your child how to say “Please” and tie his shoes, you also need to coach him on being a good citizen and respecting the planet. Fortunately, most of this learning happens by example. If you always take your reusable totes to the grocery store, your child will understand that it’s best to skip the plastic bags. If you make it a point to turn the lights off when leaving a room and turn the faucet off when brushing your teeth, your younger one will quickly catch on -- and strive to emulate your green ways.
Encourage the Three R’s
There’s no better place than home to encourage the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle. Before he can even walk, show your little one how the R’s can be part of everyday life. Keep waste to a minimum (skip single-use packaging, reuse printer paper and choose regular dishes over disposable); reuse everyday items like plastic lunch bags (they can be washed and dried) and empty jelly jars; and recycle everything your town will accept (paper, plastic, aluminum, glass).
Eat Locally
Make a point to talk about where the food on your kid’s plate comes from. Apples and chicken do not magically appear in grocery store aisles. If you’re eco-minded, they likely come from a local farm or another source that’s close to your home. Eating locally keeps planet-damaging transportation down to a minimum and supports the local economy. As kids grow, take them to farmers markets, farms and orchards so they can see their food in action. Extra points if you plant a fruit and veggie garden together!
Limit Screen Time
One of the best ways to protect -- and appreciate -- the earth is to get out in it. Turn off the TV, shut down the computer and video games, and get outside. Less time in front of machines means less energy used and more energy burned. Set clear limits for screen time for your kid and encourage as much outdoor play as possible.
Marisa Belger’s work has appeared in Travel + Leisure Family, Natural Health, Prevention
and TODAYShow.com, where she wrote a column about eco-friendly living. She was an editor at Lime.com and collaborated with author Josh Dorfman on his bestselling books, The Lazy Environmentalist
and The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget. She is the managing editor of and frequent contributor to
Green Goes Simple.