healthykids GROWING UP
Lessons to Help Lighten Future Footprints
by Hilary Ferrand
tive. I really want them to make these important decisions themselves. I can’t decide for them later on.”
GREEN P
arents schooled in environmen- tal principles strive to guide their children in like-minded directions. How can we inspire them to join in addressing larger challenges without coming across as a lecturer about yet another obligation? Thankfully, there are many ways to make green living a feel-good, even easy and fun habit.
Cutting Consumerism The most important factor is to live as an example. Parents best teach children to buy less by buying less themselves. Discuss various considerations and ask for their opinions.
According to a recent study by Empower MediaMarketing, kids see 12 to 14 minutes of commercials for every hour of television screen time. Talk about ads that target kids and how some retailers manipulate young audi- ences. Compare the advertised benefits of a new toy with their own experi- ences with it; does it measure up? Give kids attractive options and practice in making choices. “I tell them what a product contains and if it’s proven to cause health problems,” says Mary Marsh, a mother of three in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. “I also will tell them about a natural alterna-
Taming Trash
Challenge children to find reusable alternatives to disposable household items. Turn it into a game; conduct ex- periments to see how well the alterna- tives work and try their ideas. Put a spin on recycling. Instead of rinsing milk jugs and putting them out for recycling, save some to create an igloo indoors. Unwind that old sweater and use it in artwork. Cut apart old jeans and turn them into skirts. Decorate glass jars and repurpose them as storage for pantry foods and miscellany.
Take children to the local dump to identify items that could be recycled or reused. University of Utah research at- tests that half of all U.S. garbage could be recycled. In practice, we settle for about 2 percent.
Encourage youngsters to make their opinions known. When a toy’s package is much larger than it needs to be, help them write the maker a letter asking the manufacturer to green their business.
Creating Concern Help children become experts. “Kids can inspire their friends and parents to be more environmentally conscious,” advises Dr. Moshe Lewis, chief of physical medicine and rehab at the California Pacific Medical Center, in San Francisco.
Surround the family with na- ture. “Kids are naturally curious. As they learn about the natural habitat of animals, their importance in the ecosystem and how beautiful they
40 Collier/Lee Counties
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