As parents, one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the knowledge and habit of sustainability. The world is facing many environmental challenges, and teaching our kids how to live more sustainably today will ensure they grow up with the tools they need to protect the planet. But sustainability doesn’t have to be a serious or daunting topic—teaching your child about caring for the Earth can be fun, engaging, and full of hands-on learning experiences.
Here are some creative and enjoyable ways to integrate sustainability into your child’s everyday routine:
Fun Sorting and Upcycling Game
The 3Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle—are the foundation of sustainability. Sekolah Victory Plus Bekasi, an International baccalaureate school in Indonesia, has provided sorting bins around the school area as one of the sustainable steps. Maintain this routine at home by creating different bins for paper, plastic, and metal, and have your child help you sort household items. Go beyond by involving your child in how to reuse everyday items to create something new. Upcycling is a creative way to reinforce the importance of reusing items rather than throwing them away.
Gardening: Grow Your Own Green Thumb
There’s no better way to teach children about sustainability than by growing your own food. As an international school in Indonesia, Sekolah Victory Plus with its garden provides the opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience growing their own food. To make it more achievable at home, create a small garden or even a few pots on a windowsill for your child to plant and care for things like tomatoes, herbs, or flowers.
Teaching Good Consumer Habits
Shopping for groceries or clothes can also be a teachable moment for sustainability. Involve your child in making eco-friendly choices when you shop. For example, show them the benefits of buying products with less packaging, choosing organic or locally sourced food, or selecting eco-conscious brands for clothing. At Sekolah Victory Plus, we implement a habit where students are needed to bring their own utensils to reduce the plastic use and waste.
Find out more: SDG in Action: Grade 9 Eco-Friendly Visit
Get Moving Green
Introduce eco-friendly transportation options to your child for creating sustainability. Swap out short car trips for family bike rides. It’s a great way to teach your child the benefits of reducing carbon emissions while also enjoying outdoor activity together. If possible, use buses or trains for family outings and make it a fun adventure.
Lead by Example
Children learn by watching their parents, so the best way to teach sustainability is by practicing it yourself. Whether it’s turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or choosing reusable containers over single-use plastic, make sure you’re modeling the eco-friendly habits you want your child to adopt.
Sustainability doesn’t have to be overwhelming or complicated. By introducing fun, everyday practices into your routine, you’re not only teaching your child how to care for the environment, but you’re also building a foundation for a more sustainable future.
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