How to make your child sensitive towards environment

Humanity and sensitivity is a part of our souls. But sometimes, in the rush of daily lives we overlook the same qualities, and worse forget to impart them to our children. But these are the same virtues which if taught to our children from a tender age, will help them grow on to create an inclusive society where each one cares for everything.  We often teach them to respect, help, share and care. However most of our efforts make the child sensitive only towards the needs of self, family and friends.

Sensitivity towards environment requires a wider perspective. It needs a simple realization that even the environment needs our time and energy. Yes, it sounds big and idealistic but it is possible with small steps beginning at an early age.

To make it a little easier let us identify simple elements of environment on which we can have an impact effortlessly.

1. Trees

• Make children sow and grow small plants in old cups, waste bottles and lead the children to planting in buildings and surrounding areas.
• Take their small sand play jug and make them water the plants.
• Develop their interest in studying and observing various trees and plants, their leaf shape and size. Let them spend time appreciating flowers and big trees.
• Walk from sunlight to shade and make them realize, how trees protect and soothe us.
• Teach them to use paper carefully, as it is made out of wood from trees.

2.  Water

• Try to keep a single glass all day for having water (or else we put it for washing around 7-8 times). This is simple but helps children understand that we should not use extra  utensils.
• While they use the washroom, teach them to use the less water flush when they pee.
• When brushing and applying soap while bathing teach them to keep the tap closed.
• Teach them to take only as much water as they want. When back from school, instead of emptying their water bottles in the sink, they can empty it in a potted plant.
• Save, recycle, and reuse water as and when possible.

3. Electricity

• Teach them to dry themselves off any sweat below a fan rather than immediate air conditioning in the room (Here deep breathing also help).
• Switch off the lights and fans after use.
• Spend less time watching television and more in creative activities and hobbies. Tell them the significance as TV consumes electricity.
• Do not leave any appliances in standby power mode as it is a waste of electricity. Microwaves, televisions, computers etc should be switched off from the mains.

4. Cleanliness

• Do not use plastic bags. Carry recyclable cloth bags or bio-degradable fibre bags. Teach children that when going out they should carry their own bags whenever possible.
• Use bins and if they are not installed, carry the garbage till you get a place to dispose it responsibly.
• Help senior citizens and smaller children throw their garbage at the right place (For e.g. If a small child has thrown his juice tetra pack down, you pick it and put it in the bin)
• Keep your clothes, books, stationery, shoes, accessories and games in their designate place.
• Wash and clean your own clothes, cycle and plate after meals.

5. Wise resource/infrastructure use

• Take a cycle or bus to the school rather than a private vehicle and if close by just walk the distance.
• If there are two elevators and you have called for one, learn to wait till it comes.
• Teach your child to take good care of their belongings so that it lasts longer and can also be used by younger siblings or any other person in need.

6. Food

• Teach your child the value of food.
• Educate them about the process of farming, so they understand the efforts that go behind growing, reaping and making food available.
• Restrict fast and fancy food consumption by maintaining a balance as it leads to over consumption and wastage also. ( Simple food keeps health better)
• Eating outside should be monitored and only happen 4-5 times in a month. Home cooked food is fresh and less expensive.
• Share the excess food with poor before it rots.

7. Charity

• Visit orphanages regularly to distribute vital necessities and take your children along so that they can see and feel the difference.

• Teach your child to educate the underprivileged sections (whatever concepts they have learnt) rather than mocking.
• Teach them to save little every month from their pocket money to buy things for the poor.

8. Best out of waste

• Develop a side in your child where he/she can get creative with stuff whose utility is zero like used disks, tins, bags, clothes etc. These days there are a lot of videos and content available on social media about how to put such things to use.

Raising an alarm when someone else is in distress becomes important in today’s world and is a crucial step towards social corrections and improvements.

Above is not an exhaustive list of elements. We can always get creative and add to it. Moving a little beyond this list, let us ponder a little on what can help sensitise them further.

First and foremost is that parents need to follow ‘The Walk the Talk’ philosophy. Be what you want your children to be and guide them better.

Good independent habits like eating on your own and packing your school bag will enable children to develop their own mind.

Children should regularly exercise so that they learn to value their body and all the wonderful things that they can do for the betterment of the environment.

Children should also pray daily to develop noble virtues like humility, compassion and gratitude.

By sensitising children towards environment we are grooming them to become fine humans who will definitely revolutionise and reform the society. An entire generation of ‘environmentally sincere’ humans would be a miracle, a live illustration of the purpose of this creation of God called Human Beings.