Earth Day is April 22. How do you get your children to understand the importance of this special day and how we should all be working together to take care of the earth every day?
According to Beverly Anderson, Executive Director of Ebenezer Child Care Centers with locations in Downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek and West Allis/Wauwatosa, “Children rely on their parents to teach them about important things. It’s up to you to teach your children to respect Mother Earth.” Here are some tips.
Reduce, Recycle and Reuse
Anderson says one of the simplest ways to teach your children to be environmentally friendly is to reduce, recycle and reuse. This means trying to reduce your footprint of how much you are using. Take your reusable bags with you when you go grocery shopping. Donate your outgrown clothes to Goodwill and other charities. And, recycle your paper, aluminum and plastic at home.
“Children can help with many of these efforts,” says Anderson. “They can help carry reusable bags into shopping centers for you, place items into recycling bins at home, and as a family you can talk about how you can get by with less.”
Use Nature for Recreation
Another way you can encourage children to love nature is to get out and enjoy it. This can include taking hikes in nature, utilizing some of Milwaukee’s great bike trails, camping, and visiting our county park system for picnics and to explore the world around you.
“There are so many fun things you can do in nature as a family,” says Anderson. “The natural world is one of the best environments for children to explore, absorb and enjoy. Nature provokes children into thought, action and formulating their own ideas.”
“You truly can’t underestimate the power of getting out in the world together and exploring it. I assure you it will leave a lasting impression on your children.”
Garden
Anderson adds that gardening can be another way to teach children to love nature. It allows them to get their hands dirty and realize that working with the earth and caring for plants can not only be enjoyable but rewarding.
“There is no greater sense of pride for children than having them be able to pick a vegetable that they helped plant, water and care for. It shows them the power of nurturing living things.”
Ebenezer Child Care Centers is a not-for-profit, locally based agency committed to providing early childhood programs from the heart. The agency prides itself on being different from other childcare providers in that it offers a home-like atmosphere; individualized, nurturing care; and a structured curriculum that is virtues-based for every child’s developmental stage.
Every Ebenezer Child Care Center focuses on all aspects of a child’s development: cognitive, physical, emotional, and social. In addition to providing quality care, the agency also offers other educational programming all aimed at helping parents.
The agency has locations in downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek, and West Allis/Wauwatosa. The agency’s main office is located at 1138 S. 108th Street, West Allis.
