Teaching Children about the Environment

Love and respect for the environment and animals can start young. Here at Keiki Early Learning, we believe the fate of the Earth is in the hands of our children and with our help, they have the power to make a substantial difference in the future. Follow our suggestions below to help your children build lifelong habits that will work towards living a greener life.

The decisions your child makes in the future won’t only affect their lives but the lives of generations to come. This makes environmental issues an essential part of your child’s early years education. Teaching young ones today about the environmental impact of their daily life and the concept of sustainability helps keep them informed about potential future hazards such as poor air quality and polluted drinking water.

The foundation of environmental education is learning respect for the natural environment. An easy way to spark your child’s interest in these topics is by beginning with animal interactions. Children are fascinated by other living creatures and must learn to treat them with respect early on. Encourage your children to be inquisitive about bugs, animals and plants without disturbing them, so they can learn that all creatures have a natural home where they belong.

Learning about where food comes from is another great way to encourage respect for the environment. If you have room in your backyard, why not plant a small vegetable garden together and pick your own fresh herbs for cooking? Or if you’re not much of a green thumb, try visiting a local Community Garden or take your child strawberry picking in the Spring months.

Here in Perth, we are lucky to have the ocean on our doorstep as a great tool for learning about environmental awareness. Spend time on the beach with your children, talking about rubbish, waste and what can end up in the sea and sand if we’re not careful. This is a great way to get your children interested in household sustainability ideas such as recycling, composting and water conservation.

Now that your children are starting to learn about the impact they can have on their environment, you can teach them a range of small actions that can have a significant environmental impact. For example, explain to your children why it’s a good idea to turn off the tap while brushing their teeth or why they should switch off lights when they leave a room. Or involve them in your household recycling and teach them about the different bins being used. Turning a tiny task into a positive action rather than a chore they feel they have to do will encourage lifelong awareness of the consequences of their choices.

Once you and your children are on a mutual mission to save the planet, encourage them to think creatively about ways to minimise waste, reduce pollution and protect their natural environment. Some things to think about could be the contents of their lunchbox, gifts they give to school friends and household items that can be reused and repurposed. When it comes to living greener, there is always more we can do!

To find out more about the environmental education we offer or to enrol your child at Keiki Early Learning, visit our contact page for ways to get in touch.