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Help Your Kids "Go Green"
Recycling, reusing, waste-reducing – if you really want to make a difference, it’s better to do it together. Children will copy you in everything you do, so the best way to help them “go green” is to be a good role model yourself. So... do it as a family!
By showing that you care about and respect the environment and be earth-friendly, your kids will soon learn to do the same. Here are some suggestions you can try as a family:
Respect the nature. This can start in your own backyard. Help kids plant a flower or a tree. Set up bird feeders, a birdbath, and birdhouses. Do it together and show your kids that you care for the nature. Go to the park, organise a picnic, or book a family holiday somewhere away from urban spaces and distressing noise. Explore the nature and take any opportunities to point out and discuss the plants and animals you see and why it's important to protect their habitats.
Refill and Recycle. Recycling is easy, so show them how to do it when they are toddlers. Have separate bins for recycling and for rubbish. Try to make it fun - You may put stickers with images of what they can put in the recycling bin, and what – in the other one. In the very early days, give rewards every time they do it right. Always choose items that come with a refill option. They reduce the waste and are cheaper, too.
Drink tap water. You can add a filter to improve its taste. Mineral water usually comes in plastic bottles, most commonly made from polyethylene terepthalate (PET), which can end up in landfills.
Paper. You may consider buying note-books, pads, photo-albums and even photo-frames made from recycled paper. And to get creative again, show them how to do the best (and most valuable) hand-made greeting card from recycled paper. And going even further, why not recycling the paper at home? – click here for handmade paper tips.
Cleaning. When cleaning, use non-toxic or purely natural materials. The following will clean your house just as effectively as bought chemical-based products, and offer a sweet-smelling, natural and eco-friendly element to your housework:
White apple vinegar - A natural disinfectant, stain remover and reduces mineral and lime deposits
Baking soda – Mixed with water, it will cut through grease and dirt on almost any surface
Soda crystals – If you need to unblock the sinks
Baking soda and vinegar when mixed will clean perfectly any silver surfaces
Toothpaste – use as above
Lemon - A natural bleaching and disinfecting agent which also smells great
Olive Oil - Use as a furniture polish to nourish wood.
Tea tree oil – add a few drops in your laundry to disinfect and kill the bacteria
Save energy. For older kids remind them to turn off lights when they're not in use, power down computers, turn off the TV when nobody's watching. Use energy-saving bulbs which are better for conserving energy, last longer, and come cheaper.
Give away and donate. Ask kids to gather toys, books, and clothes, which they no longer use for donation to local charities, or simply giving to friends who want them.
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