As Earth Day approaches and everyone’s talking about being ‘green’, and since the next generation will be inheriting our planet, I figured we should include kids in the conversation; which prompted me to write The Greening Book: Being a Friend to Planet Earth.

Teaching children the importance of helping others and taking care of the world around them is an essential part of building character. It is also important to encourage children to think about what they want to do to make the world a better place so they can truly understand the power of their actions.
Messages about being “green” are everywhere these days, but most of these discussions and the actions being suggested are for adults. Below, I offer tips that let children think about what they get from the earth and what they want to do to make a difference and be “green.”

1. Teach by Listening…

There are endless reasons we could give children for being environmental, but it is even more powerful to start the discussion and let them express the things they appreciate about the earth and the gifts they want to protect. You can start this dialogue by sharing some of your favorite places in nature and things you get from our planet. Then encourage them to think about and share their own personal reasons for taking care of the environment.

2. Capture the Reasons

Children’s exploration of the environment and being “green” is part of a larger journey toward being caring, responsible citizens. One way to guide that course is to help them remember the reasons they want to nurture and protect the earth. Encourage children to capture their feelings about the earth and its living creatures by journaling, drawing pictures, taking photographs or creating scrapbooks. The Greening Book also allows children to make a record of their hopes and dreams for the earth and what they plan to do to make it a better place.

3. Encourage Kid-Friendly Contributions

It’s great to give kids examples of how we can share the energy by making adult decisions, but it is more fun and engaging if there are also tasks they can do start to finish. Examples would be cleaning up litter at a local park, turning off the lights in their bedroom, writing letters to politicians or community leaders about an environmental issue, or making crafts that encourage others to take care of our planet.

4. Lead by Example

Once children start thinking about the importance of taking care of the earth, they will be watching to see how your behavior reflects these values. Make sure you are being thoughtful and responsible in your actions, and draw attention to things your household does to give back and take care of the environment.

5. The More, The Merrier

Environmental issues create a great opportunity for group activities. Encourage children to work with others in their neighborhoods, schools and communities, on projects and activities that help Planet Earth. The Greening Book has many activities that children can do together and there is a free Greening Party Guide available at [wateringcanpress.com] that offers tips and ideas for planning a kid-friendly event that makes being “green” tons of fun.

In addition to inspiring your children to go green how about taking the message to your community? Many executives this year are throwing GREEN events at their workplace; using The Greening Book for “Take Your Child to Work Day” readings and parties, or offering branding copies of the book to showcase their green practices and commitments.