Teaching Kids Recycling

If you are concerned about the environment, it's especially important to raise the next generation with a healthy attitude on this matter. Teaching kids about recycling and how to appreciate the environment does not have to be difficult.

Here are some tips to help you raise your kids to be dedicated recyclers!

1. Start Them Young

If children learn to recycle everything as soon as they are old enough to understand the concept, it will quickly become second nature to them. Many adults have to train themselves towards this idea, because we may not have been raised that way. You can make it easier for your kids by showing them at an early age that everything should be recycled (and explaining why).

2. Make It Simple

It's easier to teach kids about recycling if it's something they can easily understand. While there are many important theories behind this, for kids the main thing is to give them simple tasks they can get into the habit of performing. By having clearly marked boxes or bags at home, your children can easily get into the habit of recycling.

3. Make Recycling Fun

You can make recycling fun for kids by turning it into a game. If you are doing some house cleaning, for example, you can have a contest to see who can collect the most cans or newspapers. You can combine visits to the recycling center with a trip to the ice cream parlor or something else they enjoy. Make recycling fun, not a chore!

4. Use Books and the Media

There are many books, television shows and videos geared towards children that explain the need for recycling. Expose your children to some of these, so that they can learn more about this issue in an enjoyable way.

5. Teach Kids to Recycle Everything

Get your children into the habit of recycling not only cans and bottles, but clothing, toys and other items they no longer need. You can also get them to appreciate acquiring recycled items this way. Teach them that "new" isn't always better.

6. Teach Them the Value of Conservation

Or to put it more simply, teach them to not be wasteful. One way to do this is to make them responsible for cleaning up what they don't use, whether it's leftovers at a meal or toys they no longer play with. If you clean up everything for them, they will assume that things just take care of themselves.

7. Stay Positive and Set a Good Example

Try to make recycling a fun but daily habit. Don't turn it into a grim or very serious issue that creates an atmosphere of anxiety. One way to do this is to practice good recycling habits yourself! Teaching kids about recycling doesn't have to be difficult if you go about it in the right manner.

Tags: recycle, reclamation recycle, teach kids to recycle