Currently, there is a global concern regarding global warming and pollution. The effect of these issues is pushing our planet’s survival to the edge.
If we want to preserve the beauty of this world, we need to act fast. That’s why it is important to teach the next generation how to take care of the environment. If you don’t know where to begin, here we will give you some tips about how to teach energy conservation for kids.
There are many things you could do in your household to become more eco-conscious. However, energy conservation is crucial since it plays a vital role in the future of our planet. The reason why kids need to learn about it, its because to produce the energy, we use natural resources. This means we need to employ water, oil, and natural gas to keep the world running. If our children don’t learn how to save this energy, these resources will run out.
Energy conservation does not only help us to protect our natural resources, but it also reduces pollution. For instance, if there are fewer cars on the streets, we will reduce the number of gasses and chemicals in the air. This means we will live in a world which will be healthier for our bodies.
We know that teaching energy conservation practices to children could be a challenge. But, if we want to take care of our planet, we need to find a way to teach them. To help you out, we have gathered some useful tips.
6 Tips on Energy Conservation for kids
Believe it or not, kids can contribute to our efforts regarding energy conservation. When it comes to eco-conscious activities, the smallest action can have a big impact on our future. But, if you want to teach your kids about energy conservation, don’t overwhelm them. Instead, here are some things you can do.
- Using your thermostat properly
When it comes to the HVAC system, people tend to choose the coldest set during the summer and extremely hot temperatures in winter. Even though this environment might feel comfortable inside your house, it is not helping the planet or your energy bill. To change this, you could leave the thermostat on for a couple of hours and turn it off when your house is at the perfect temperature.
For kids, this could be a fun responsibility to have in the household. They could monitor the thermostat and learn to adjust the settings when necessary. We understand that especially in winter, you might want to keep a cozy environment inside. But, to accomplish that is not necessary to keep the thermostat on. If you want to learn how to properly reach the perfect temperature during the coldest time of the year, learn more by clicking the link.
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- Turn off appliances
Every day, we spend a great amount of energy on technological appliances. That’s why you need to teach your children to turn them off when they are not using them. For instance, if they are watching a show on the TV, once it ends, tell them to turn it off. Or it can even be as simple as reminding them to keep the lights off during the day. You will see that once you do this a couple of times, it would turn into a routine.
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- Taking shorter showers
We understand that sometimes everyone needs a long shower after a stressful day. However, on a daily basis, your children should be taking shorter showers. That way, they will conserve energy and water. Also, keep in mind that children learn by example. If you keep taking long hot showers, chances are your kid will not adapt to this routine.
Further, if you like baths and enjoy playing with your children in that scenario, make it a special date. Otherwise, avoid taking baths every week since this uses up to 25 gallons of water. In case your kids are used to baths or long showers, try to make a slower transition towards a more eco-conscious behavior.
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- Make Recycling fun
Recycling is an amazing eco-friendly activity that helps us save energy in different ways. Here the most crucial part is sorting out every item into its right category. Since it might be difficult for little kids to understand them all, you can use colors. After some time, your kids will understand what each color stands for and they will classify them on their own.
In the beginning, you could turn this into a family activity. Everyone can gather in the kitchen and sort for a couple of hours. This would also be an opportunity to teach your children why recycling is important.
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- Play Bingo
Even though everything we have mentioned about energy conservation for kids sounds easy, it might be more difficult to perform with younger children. In that case, you can start with games they will enjoy. For instance, you can create a bingo focused on energy conservation strategies. In each space, you will write a simple task, such as turn off the lights or shower for under ten minutes. That way, once your children complete a row, they will win a prize.
This game can go on for a couple of days or even a week. Plus, once they complete one card, you can give them another one with more complex tasks. You can even get involved and turn it into your family game.
- Eco-friendly transport
We understand that during the week, to keep your busy schedule, you have to use your car. But on the weekends you can take a break and go out with your family using public transport. This is also great for the kids to get to know their city in a fun way.
You can even teach them about energy conservation while practicing a sport. For instance, you could plan a weekly family bike ride and teach your kids how they can help the planet. Also, make the most out of this activity by engaging them with nature.
