If you live sustainably yourself and start a family at some point, you will not only pay attention to corresponding values when choosing a partner - your offspring should also learn from an early age how important it is to treat nature and other people responsibly. As is so often the case when it comes to people and their behavior, it can also be said here: It's easier when it's fun.
Anyone who remembers their own childhood and school days usually knows that they absorbed content that was inspiring. Educators, teachers and, consequently, parents or other caregivers can be sure that children and young people no longer need to be pushed once their interest has been awakened. And there are so many opportunities for this in the field of nature education:
- Hikes
- Visits or vacations on organic farms
- Workshops
- Excellent documentation in terms of content and form and child-friendly presentation of the topic in books or games
Joint activities around nature, wildlife and plants are fun and represent real experiences (no, an app is not the same...). Of high importance is that parents themselves are burning for the cause and exemplify their own joy for nature and a sustainable lifestyle.
Image: There are many ways to help children relate to nature.
Own behavior in everyday life: the best guide for children
Ultimately, it is the little things that make for successful environmental education: the habits in everyday life that are adopted and continued by children. A conscious approach to food, responsible consumption, exemplified values such as modesty and consideration in the right measure are a foundation that provides their own offspring with a good basis for the rest of their lives.
Moreover, this kind of behavior corresponds to what children enjoy anyway and strengthens the family bond. Even the youngest children find it enriching to cook and eat together as a family, with fixed but not too rigid table rules and lively conversation. Walks or bike rides develop motor skills as well as attention to the environment.
Even stressful aspects of parenting, such as the topic of "Why we're not buying this now," can be approached in a more relaxed way if parents focus on explaining rather than forbidding - and offer alternatives.
Image: Leading by example - together.
Education as an entry point: using offers suitable for children
Information is easily accessible if it is presented in a variety of ways that appeal to children and young people. There are plenty of classics that also address important sustainability issues, such as the cross-generational hit "Die Sendung mit der Maus" or valuable children's books that some parents may still have in their closets.
While for the youngest children, a childlike level of education with fun elements and cuddly characters ensures success, older children may already be enthusiastic about very informative books or documentaries. Those who do not want to purchase the reading fodder themselves will often find extremely attractive offers for their offspring at the local library, sometimes with associated events.
Image: Information should be made easily accessible to the very young.
Living sustainability together
Those who go beyond the above-mentioned possibilities can set further goals within the family to be pursued together - for example, in doing without plastic or with regard to limiting driving. It is also possible to support or participate in projects that aim to achieve sustainability. Since the spectrum of projects is now wide, the selection can be made according to one's own interests.
Practiced sustainability in the family is usually communicated to children very easily - especially if the "grown-ups" show how it's done and if a responsible lifestyle is enjoyable. Coercion proves to be counterproductive here, especially since children sometimes do exactly the opposite of what parents want during repeated phases of defiance. With composure and good communication within the family, parents can assume that foundations laid early on will endure and shape their children's behavior in the long term.
Do you have kids you want to raise close to nature? How do you deal with this topic? Write to us and tell us about your experiences.
Image: Into the wild.
