From the time our children are babies, we teach them manners. We say "please" and "thank you," and when they're old enough, we remind them to do the same. We understand that manners are important because they show that we respect others, and when we respect others, they are more likely to respect us. Manners matter>; they always have and always will. But you know what we should also be teaching them? To show those same manners to our home: planet Earth.
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You wouldn't stand for your child going to a friend's home and wrecking it, would you? Well, the same should be true for this incredible planet of ours. We should all be teaching our kids not to destroy it and instead to take care of it and treat it with kindness and appreciation. After all, we are guests here, and if we wear out our welcome, the Earth will no longer provide for us.
Children are curious and eager to learn; they like knowing the reasons behind our actions. If we tell them to stay away from single-use plastic products, maybe they'll listen. But if we explain to them the damage that these products cause to the environment, how some animals eat them and choke, and how it can take a plastic bottle 450 years to decompose, then they'll understand why their actions matter and are more likely to adopt eco-friendly behaviors for life. Here are a few simple ways we can all teach our kids to take care of our planet.