Making Eco-Friendly Choices: A Guide for Parents and Children

As a society, we are rapidly entering an era where we are collectively considering the impact of our actions and decisions on others and the environment. The alarming rise in global warming, children's health issues, and developmental disabilities cannot be ignored. Childhood obesity, cancer in children, and asthma have reached epidemic proportions. We often assume that all chemicals are safe, but many have been scientifically proven to cause developmental disabilities. These chemicals can remain in the body for a lifetime, stored in body fat and the liver. The long-term effects of these chemicals are still unknown.

The Importance of Sustainable Living

Now is the time for us to examine the consistency of our world and our daily surroundings. Sustainable or green living involves more than just being environmentally friendly and goes beyond simply reducing, reusing, and recycling. Sustainability requires a new awareness of how our individual and collective actions can affect our children and the environment.

Distance learning teacher training educators can assist parents and society in understanding how to make choices that best protect children and the environment. The result will be healthier children and more productive adults. This teacher training will guide you on how to live consciously, shop wisely, and make a difference.

Living Consciously

In childcare centers and our homes, American consumers spend significantly more than the rest of the world on goods, heating, cooling, and water usage. The energy used, whether it's from coal, petroleum, or natural gas, results in carbon dioxide emissions. These emissions accumulate in the Earth's atmosphere and trap the sun's heat, leading to global warming.

Shopping Wisely

By shopping around and buying in bulk, the costs for healthier and green options are now comparable for many products. As consumers, online Montessori teacher training educators must learn new ways of doing business. Educate yourself about green products, understand who provides certification, and think independently. Just because a product is sold does not mean it is healthy or safe for young children. While it may not be possible to eliminate all plastics from your classroom environment, try to avoid softer plastics.

Making a Difference

All this information can be overwhelming, and it can be challenging to determine the best course of action. However, your actions as an individual, an early childhood practitioner, and a member of society do matter. As Margaret Mead once said, "It's amazing what a small group of dedicated people can achieve to change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has."

In the past, we used asbestos as a building material and lead in many of our products, including gasoline. Social education and action have helped our country understand how these choices affect children and the environment. These actions led to the banning of these substances.

The journey of a hundred miles begins with a single step. Start by training staff and parents on the issues discussed in this article. Then, create your own group of people with whom you can discuss social and environmental concerns. Everyone can take steps to reduce their impact on the planet. Use your political knowledge to make informed decisions.