Your kids are home for the summer making memories that will last a lifetime. Somewhere between pool parties, play dates, road trips and interminable hours of video games, there is time to squeeze in some quality family time to teach our kids to value of ecological sustainability. After all, it will be up to them to continue cleaning up a planet that we have littered over centuries.
So how do we go about switching gears from technology to the environment?
If you have solar panels installed, you can start there. You might want to explain how the panels attached to your roof absorb free energy from the sun so that they can watch TV, play video games, swim in a nicely heated pool and otherwise consume electricity without harming the environment. It is also an opportunity to teach them about fiscal sustainability and legacy.
Most childhood educators will agree that it is more effective to show young children rather than tell them something. When sharing concepts of ecology, climate change, recycling, renewable resources and all else, there’s nothing like putting things in perspective.
Many kids living in cities don’t have much opportunity to commune with nature. To explain nature, it makes sense to take your kids into nature to explain how the ecosystem on our planet works and how they can gain stewardship and then do their part in keeping our planet healthy.
ESP shares some ideas of how or team members address our environment, renewable energy and overall sustainability:
Immerse in Nature: In ESP’s primary service area – California, Nevada and Arizona – there is a wide range of observable nature within a short driving distance for our kids to see nature in action. When visiting the diverse topography that spans our Western region, we make a point of participating e in conservation events, nature walks, talks by park rangers and others who stress the importance of preserving open spaces for future generations.
Show Them How Things Work: There are many resources online to help explain how things work, where they come from and how they impact daily living. Most kids see their food come from shelves in a supermarket. Others may help parents shop at local farmers markets, but few kids have visited farms when fruits and vegetables are harvested, or cows milked. Nor do they know what happens to garbage after the trash collector picks it up. When possible, show them their food and water sources and explain why it is important to take care of our ecosystem.
Teach Kids How to Recycle: Kids naturally like to sort things. You can start as early as toddlerhood to teach recycling to your kids. Make it a game to collect paper, bottles and cans and sort into appropriate boxes or bins. As they grow out of their toys and clothes, let them decide what to give away and show them how their things will continue to serve other kids after they’re done with them.
Get Your Hands Dirty Together: Most communities have trash pick-up, tree planting, wildlife rescue and other events. It feels good to be of service to your local community with your children by your side learning from meaningful engagement. It teaches them conscious community citizenship and purpose. Since we’re in the solar industry, our kids are always welcome to watch solar installations under supervision and with homeowner approval. We also encourage participation in pet adoptions, food drives and other community events.
Share this Learning Mole video with your kids: Why Recycling is Important
As we prepare our children for a future as stewards of this planet, they will naturally do a better job when they learn to appreciate the planet from within their communities and beyond. Children naturally learn by emulating us. When we show them how loving, responsible behavior to the Earth sustains them and us, they will take ownership of their actions that will follow them into adulthood.