Outdoor opportunities-
There are some simple ways parents can help children understand the importance of the environment. Giving children the opportunity to learn about the environment outdoors is a good way for them to understand its importance.

Doing activities like gardening and explaining to them why it is necessary for the environment, will help them appreciate the need for keeping it clean. Allow them to watch the plants grow and observe the wildlife that surrounds them.

Nowadays children spend too much time indoors and would probably benefit from the time outdoors where they can actually experience the changes in the environment. They will more than likely get a better understanding of environmental issues if they experience it first hand.

Take the green lead-
One of the best ways to teach your child/ren about the environment is to be a good role model yourself. If you show respect for the environment, wildlife and nature then your child will be able to see that it is a good thing. If you show them how it is done, then they will follow the ‘green’ lead.

Here are some suggestions for you to help teach your child/ren about the environment.

Encourage outdoor learning when at home- although your child might get environmental lessons at school make sure you do something as a family at home. Tray and plant a garden or tree and watch it grow. Visit a local park and learn about the different plants that are there and how they grow. Make a birdhouse or bird feeder that will attract wildlife. Also have children collect different flowers in your backyard; teach them about the importance of keeping things green.

Take a weekend camping trip- head to a national park. Go for a hike, swim or canoe down the river or visit a rainforest, whatever you do spend time with your children to explain the plants and animals that live in that habitat. Allow them to draw pictures or take photos of what they see. Check out books about nature and let your children take them along.

Take part in community environmental activities- join in on recycle programs or competitions or take part in cleaning up your local park. Work with the parent school association and help your child’s school get green. Clean up the school grounds and take part in working bees.

Like many other countries, Australian parents purchase clothes for their children that are only usually worn a few times and then placed in the bin, despite the life left in the clothing. There are some parents who always put their child in new clothing, no matter how much waste there is in the long term.

But using second-hand clothing is a good way to save money and our environment. If you don’t like the idea of your child wearing strangers’ clothes, see if you can get hand-me-downs from a family member or friend. At least then you can know where it has come from.

Once your child has gotten too big for their clothes, don’t just throw them in the bin. Instead, keep them for the next child or give them to a friend or family member. If you don’t know anyone expecting, give the clothes to a children’s charity or take them to a charity recycle bin.

You can even give old baby clothes to maternity wards of hospitals. They will be appreciative as there will always be parents who have rushed to hospital without their prepared bag.

But if you have to purchase new clothes consider purchasing organic cotton clothing. This type of baby clothing is more environmentally friendly than other types of fabric.