Q: How do you instill a sense of respect for the planet in young children?
A: I think modeling is the best way to teach respect whether it be for people, animals, or the environment. Children learn so much from us just through simple observation. If you regularly pick up trash at a local park, recycle and reuse items in your home, compost, or talk about waste and consumption with your children, you will lay the most important foundation for respect for the planet. As they get older, you can start to explain the impact of our actions in simple ways that they can understand. Showing a child how litter on the beach can endanger the animals there, whether birds or fish, can give them an appreciation for making conscious choices about their actions.
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