In order to be greener, it is a good idea to install a modern programmable or WiFi thermostat for your HVAC system. This will reduce the amount of electricity used in your home and lower your energy bill. This is not the way to be greener, there are are many great ways to conserve energy and resources. Having a greener home doesn’t have to be too much extra work, and it can even be fun. Teaching our children to act greener will help the environment in the present and into the future. Given a little time, these greener activities will become habits that lead to a more sustainable way to live. Here are four top tips to teach your kids to be greener..
1. Watch Your Water Usage
Teaching your children about water conservation doesn’t have to be limited to the summer months. Our water supplies are finite all year round, and we need to use it sparingly. Here in California, this is hard to ignore, and we are constantly reminded of the water challenges that we face. One fun game to play is timing your kids in the shower, teach them to get wet then turn off the faucet, lather up and then rinse off. Turning the faucet off when brushing their teeth is another great water saving tip, and it should earn brownie points.
2. Control the Use of Electricity
It is quite common with children that they leave rooms without turning the lights off. Another common problem is leaving on ceiling fans, computers, and mobile device chargers. Announce that there will be spot checks and reward children that act responsibly. Over quite a short period of time, you will notice that everything is miraculously turned off when not in use.
3. Teach Recycling
It is a good idea to involve children in the separation and disposal of recycling. This is a fun chore that really helps out your local community. There are other ways to help that can be taught to children. Firstly, consider if the item being disposed of even needs to be recycled, for example, old toys and clothes could be donated to charity. Some recycling centers offer cash for recycling, and this could be a great way for children to supplement their allowance. Another benefit to this is that they get to see the recycling center and how it works. This can be a fascinating insight into the process of recycling, and it could spark their imaginations.
4. Charting Progress and Rewarding Activity
Many child psychologists attend to the viewpoint that children crave structure and consistency. When adopting a program of progress and reward, it is important, to be honest and open at all times. One of the best ways to do this is a wall chart mounted in the kitchen that shows each child and charts their progress throughout the week. Issue gold stars or use some other fun way to track their progress. Rewards should be clearly shown and scaled for the levels of achievement. If the child falls short, stick to your guns or progress will not be made in subsequent weeks.