Reasonable consumption is needed to save not only the planet, but also the family budget.
But how can you really make your child understand the importance of a conscious approach to consumption? And at least he didn't shred wasted napkins, he knew how to be content with a small amount of clothes?
Talk about resource constraints
From the age of three, the child will be able to understand that if someone has too many resources, then someone will not have them at all. Explain this with money or water.
That if one child washes his hands for 10 minutes, flushing water into nowhere, then 10 other children will not be able to wash their hands and will die from diseases (the statistics are conditional).
If you buy 1 unnecessary toy, you will not be able to buy 10 healthy vegetables and fruits that will make your child healthy.
Be consistent
Yes, I do not want to limit the child absolutely always. And we ourselves want to spend money not quite rationally, then take a shower for 10 minutes longer than usual - that is, it is unreasonable to use resources.
But it is better to do this in the absence of the child so that he does not see how your words are at odds with your actions (and do so as rarely as possible).
That is, if a family saves water and electricity, then all family members do it 99% of the time. Sorting trash? So do it always, no exceptions.The more consistent you are in your own actions and requirements for the child, the faster he will master these rules and begin to follow them.
Be an example
Don't just show your child how a person with conscious consumption behaves, but become that person. You will have to put some strain on the sorting of trash - but very soon you will start buying only those goods that are then easy to sort. And this is also a big step towards awareness and preservation of the environment.
Walk more, find replacements for plastic bags, turn on extra lights, conserve water, don't buy extra clothes - saving doesn't make you poor and your lifestyle poor.
Quite the opposite. If you approach it correctly, buy less food and clothing waste and spend money on something more meaningful - like family trips for pleasant experiences - your life will become much more full. But with the right things.And your children will develop vital skills and the ability to empathize with people and nature.
You will also be interested to read:
- How to teach your child the most important things in life
- Good manners to teach even the smallest
- 15 vital things to explain to your son