When it comes to why we want to live greener, many people will tell you it's all about the future. We want generations after us to breathe clean air and enjoy the beautiful natural world around them, all without fearing what natural catastrophe is to come.
Some adults don't entirely understand why it's important to live sustainably. It's for that reason that many people find it difficult to explain the reasons behind sustainable living to their kids. Without an abundance of good examples surrounding them, the concepts can seem so far off, especially to smaller kids.
Here are some good ideas to keep in mind when it comes to conversations about sustainability with kids and helping them understand why it matters.
Make sure they understand that sustainability and recycling aren't the same thing.
At the most basic stages of learning about sustainability, kids may not understand that the little things we do like recycling and buying secondhand are not the big goal itself. Help kids understand the idea that we have resources that we have to nurture if we want to continue enjoying them. Living sustainably is consciously and eventually unconsciously making choices that help better all of the resources on our precious planet.
Talk about the resources your family uses in their day-to-day lives.
Talk to your kids about all the resources that make our lives easier, better, and healthier that we utilize throughout our days. Then talk about how people in the future will also need these resources, just like people in the past did. As we get older, the resources we use today are important to many areas of our lives including work, transport, schools, government, technology, and many more. These will also be important to people living 10, 50, or 100 years in the future. The problem is, the resources might run out by then.
Check out sustainability in action where you can.
Does your town or county have a recycling center? Check it out as a family. Community gardens are another great way to get involved in things that will help kids understand the realities of sustainable living and what's possible for everyone.
Get to know the natural spots in your area.
Getting in touch with the natural spaces in your neighborhood or neighboring areas can start a lot of interesting conversations about sustainability. Talk to kids about how different animals native to the area interact with the natural space and do their part in sustaining those spaces.
Make the most of your children's endless curiosity.
Chances are, your kids will hit you with questions that will stump you. Admit you don't have all the answers, and commit to learning together. Whether it's sustainability or anything else, the simple ability to do that well can make all the difference in the way your kids talk to you about the big things in life.
