There’s no doubt that adults are showing more care for the planet than ever before. Even governments and policymakers are directing the world towards a more sustainable one. But the best way to inject care for the planet is surely to instil it into people from a young age to ensure good practices are instilled rather than learnt.

As a parent, you may feel like it’s your responsibility to turn your little one into a budding eco-warrior, and to some extent, it is. But in an increasingly digital world, this can be easier said than done. Here are a few ways you can help create a child with a passion for environmental care. 

Consider The Brands You Buy From

There’s no getting away from the fact that kids can be expensive. Ask any parent, and they’ll tell you of how frequently they need to buy new clothes due to a growth spurt, the latest toy, or presents for birthdays and holidays. While having children will undoubtedly mean you consume more products, consider how some consumer choices can be friendlier for the planet compared to others.

Identify brands that sell sustainable goods, whether that’s clothes made from recycled materials or toys manufactured with more eco-friendly materials. While this was once difficult, thankfully, there is no shortage of sustainable options today. In fact, almost every industry comes with an eco-friendly option today so you shouldn’t struggle to find a children’s or baby shop with sustainability at the heart of its operations.

This should subtly introduce your child to the idea of sustainable brands and products, which you can explain without being overly pushy.

Encourage Eco-Friendly Hobbies

As your child grows older, you’ll probably find yourself promoting a range of different hobbies to them to help them find an activity that works for their skill set and interests. As an environmentally conscious parent, try to encourage hobbies that align with your passion for sustainability.

Have your little one help out with the gardening to help them foster a love for nature and food origins. Promote cycling as a fun, active hobby that can also reduce carbon footprints. Or, if your child is displaying a creative eye, introduce them to arts & crafts or sewing; this could lead to them upcycling clothes and unwanted belongings in the future.

Explain The Benefits

When encouraging your child to make decisions that help the planet, it’s important to explain the why. For instance, you may want to limit the time your child spends staring at a screen or using electronic devices for both the health of their eyes and the planet.

They’ll probably think this is just an example of you being a strict parent, so explain your reasoning in child-friendly language. This can be a good introduction to issues like global warming and recycling.

You could also use their devices to educate them. Allow extra screen time if it’s spent watching educational videos about the planet or wildlife, to ensure that time spent on electronic devices is at least time spent learning.

Foster a Love for the Outdoors

Spending more time outdoors is probably the easiest and most effective way to develop an eco warrior. It could be as simple as playing with your child in the garden, going on weekend walks, exploring less touristy parts of London like the Royal Parks or enjoying family camping trips. 

This is a great way to build up an environmentally conscious youngster in a natural way. The end result will hopefully see your child develop a natural love for the planet, increasing the chances that they themselves will want to care for our earth as they grow older. Something that they will then likely pass on to the generations that come after them.

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting, and the ways you introduce your child to environmentally conscious practices will differ from one family to the next. It’s important to find an approach that works for you, your family and your child. It’s important to ensure you are introducing your child to environmental issues rather than pushing them onto your kid. If you are struggling with this, it may be worth speaking to fellow parents, teachers or researching online the best way to approach these subjects.

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