0-3 |
|
Get Curious |
| No One Is Too Young To Go Green |
Noreen Livoti
4/29/2009
|
Just because your little one is still getting used to holding up his head, walking on his own, or gaining his first taste of independence doesn't mean that he is too young to go green. Like any learned skill, being eco-friendly is a habit that can start early, making it second nature – something that your child will continue throughout the rest of his or her life.
"Even little ones can have a big impact on the earth," says Holly Keich, yoga instructor at Om Baby Pregnancy and Parenting Center in Lemoyne. First, Keich is a big proponent of cloth diapers: "In households with children under 3, disposable diapers alone account for nearly 50 percent of household waste," she says (check www.realdiaperassociation.org/diaperfacts.php for more statistics). "Each child accounts for a ton of disposable diapers that will sit in a landfill for hundreds of years. For me, that alone means that it's never too young to go green!" Today, cloth diapers come in a variety of colors and styles, are more easier to use, and can be more cost-effective, as well.
Keich also recommends making your own baby food to cut down on the packaging waste of commercially made foods, and to truly put you in charge of your child's nutrition. "Making organic baby food prevents harmful pesticides from being introduced to your susceptible child, as well as helping to prevent harmful chemicals from leaching into water supplies," she says. You can use locally grown produce at the peak of freshness, and try a larger variety of fruits and veggies.
As kids reach toddlerhood, their curiosity about the world around them can be a great platform to discuss taking care of the environment, as well. Consider visiting a farm, or talk about where produce comes from. Use items that are second-hand to reduce the amount of stuff in landfills, children's furniture, toys and clothing are often barely used by the time they outgrow them.
As in any situation, your kids will learn what you live. "For young children, it's more about leading as an example," says Keich. "Explore nature. Emphasize the importance of their inborn sense of wonder and curiosity about their surroundings. Foster this connection through activities that allow them to learn about animals and the interconnection of all things on earth. If you see your surroundings as an extension of yourself, then you are less likely to treat it poorly."
|
|