Every year, the world ups it stake in living the “green” life. People all over the world are trying to do their part, even if there are those who choose not to participate. As society continues to focus on cleaning up the earth and air, it is incumbent on parents to find ways to educate and motivate their children regarding the benefits of recycling. While it may not be an easy thing to do, here are some creative suggestions on how to get kids into recycling.
Make it a Game
Kids respond very well to role and game playing. A parent could devise a game where the winner gets a trip to their favorite restaurant. The game might challenge each child to gather certain recyclable products over a certain period of time. The first child to recycle a full checklist of products would be declared the winner. The checklist would serve as an educational tool about different recyclables. If the household has only one child, several parents in the neighborhood could join forces to create one game.
Introduce the Child to a Real Recycling Center
Many children can better understand what they can see. A trip to a local, full-service recycling center like General Recycling Industries Ltd. in Edmonton could provide the best education on the process and benefits of recycling. The child might fill up a bag of recyclables, take it to the center, and request to see how the stuff is handled at the plant. Some plants are even willing to offer resident tours and answer questions.
Books and Videos
Parents can use the fact that many children already view books and videos as educational sources. There are many fun and creative books and videos out in the marketplace that target kids directly. Some of these sources are hosted by familiar cartoon characters or super heroes. Children will pay attention to the things they like and respect. These books and videos present useful information about the benefits of recycling in a way that seems fun and easy to understand.
Saving for College
The need for advanced education increases every year along with the price of tuition. Parents can motivate children to start saving for college today by collecting bottles and cans and taking them to recycling centers for compensation. Parents might offer to match penny for penny everything collected. Parents can also show their cooperation with the project by going along and participating.
The best way to get someone to do something as an adult is to teach them to do it as a child. Ultimately, most children want to be involved in causes it they are fun and important to their parents and friends. It’s never too soon to learn to recycle.