5 Easy Steps to Cultivate Sustainability

When we hear the word “sustainability” we think of so many elements. Let’s bring it back to the basics and remind ourselves what this word means. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word sustainability as "the property of being environmentally sustainable; the degree to which a process or enterprise is able to be maintained or continued while avoiding the long-term depletion of natural resources." It can sound overwhelming at times and we may find ourselves wondering where we start as parents.

I want to break it down into five easy steps to nurture sustainability in our kids. Teaching our kids to be environmentally conscious from a young age can shape their attitudes and behaviours in positive ways. It can create habits they will show their friends, colleagues, and perhaps their future families. Most of us have wondered why we do something as an adult and then say “Oh my mom used to do that!” Let’s empower our children together to create the memories and habits of sustainability they will pass on to others. It’s pretty neat when you think about it! 

1. LEAD BY EXAMPLE

This may seem obvious but it’s a good reminder. Children are incredibly observant and tend to mimic the behaviours of their parents and caregivers. Show them that sustainability is important to you by incorporating eco-friendly practices into your daily routine such as reducing waste, conserving energy and water, and choosing reusable products. When they see you actively participating in sustainable habits, they are more likely to internalize such actions as normal. Explain to them why you do certain things; this will empower them to make good decisions as adults. 

Leading by example may also look like refusing certain things. Not purchasing individual packaged items in favour of bulk, or refusing cutlery when you’re getting takeout. Have you ever analyzed your automatic grocery shopping habits? It’s incredible what we grab without thinking. This could be a chance to pause and look at what you are bringing into the home. Sustainable habits don’t happen overnight; developing them is a process. Show your children you’re undoing habits from your own childhood and working on new ones. There are probably five things in your mind right now that you want to change, and that’s normal. 

Family Exercise

Write down what changes in your habits you want to establish and set some goals with your kids. This can be a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate goal setting and working towards a positive outcome together as a family. It will also show vulnerability—as no one is perfect—but it’s striving to be better together that is key. 

2. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Engage your children in age-appropriate activities that teach them about the environment and sustainability. Visit nature centres and botanical gardens, take part in nature classes, or visit local farms to introduce them to the beauty of nature and the importance of protecting it. Some wonderful farm/nature centres host birthday parties, which could be a new experience. You can be a tourist in your own town; create a yearly list and check the activities off as you do them. Watch documentaries or read books together that explore topics like climate change, wildlife conservation, and recycling. Incorporate nature-based art activities that allow children to learn about wild things and perhaps forage for their own supplies. These activities can spark their curiosity and help them understand the impact of their actions—the more questions the better. Warning: Adults may learn something new too!

3. HANDS-ON GARDENING

If you don’t have a garden, it’s a wonderful time to start one. Food security has never been more important, and creating a more self-sufficient home is a huge step towards sustainable living. If you are new to the practice, start a small garden at home where kids can learn about the process of growing their own food. This hands-on experience teaches them the value of fresh, locally-grown produce and the effort it takes to cultivate it. They will even taste the difference, especially with strawberries and carrots. Gardening also fosters a sense of connection and responsibility for taking care of living things. Involving them in planting, watering, harvesting and caring for the garden can be an enjoyable and educational family activity. If you have a balcony, try growing strawberries, lettuce, or radishes in a pot. If you already have a garden, don’t forget to include the children in the process of tending it. They can be little helpers and feel they have contributed to growing the food they eat. This can lead them to try new foods as well. They will also witness bees and butterflies, and hold worms in their hands. It’s a magical feeling watching their faces smile at nature. A word of advice? Grow food they like to eat—to get them excited about picking and eating what you grow.

4. THE 5 Rs

Teach your children the five Rs of sustainability and dive into what each one means.

Reduce: Encourage them to be mindful of their consumption by making conscious choices about what they buy and use. Parents can often forget about this one. We can set the example of what to bring into the home.

Reuse: The kitchen is a great place to start reusing items. Reuse plastic bags, take out containers, twist ties or even tin foil. Reusing items produces less waste, resulting in less garbage leaving our homes. It’s another conversation starter, too.

Repurpose: Show them creative ways to repurpose items instead of throwing them away. Turn old jars into pantry storage containers, or use recycled paper for art projects. Ask yourself, “Can this be repurposed before I throw it away?” I still remember my grandfather having a tool shed full of soup cans hanging on the wall to hold all his different nails and screws.

Repair: Some say repairing has become a lost art; we’ve gotten so used to throwing something away when it breaks and buying new. Talking to our children about repairing is the first step. A simple example of fixing a hole in their sock can show them how to reduce waste, take care of their belongings, and save money at the same time. Knowing you can fix it feels good and is empowering. It’s all about taking the time to do it.

Recycle: Teaching children the basics of sorting and recycling as early as possible will increase environmental and sustainability awareness. Recycling is not a straightforward process because the many types of plastics and glass need sorting, differently according to each jurisdiction; however, learning the rules, reading the labels, and washing containers properly are important skills. It’s another opportunity for the whole family to learn. A wonderful resource, if you have any questions, is your municipality or city website. Set up a recycling station at home and involve your kids in sorting materials. It’s good practice to see how much we are recycling and where we can improve. Make it fun by creating a family recycling challenge! 

5. EMPOWER CRITICAL THINKING

Encourage your children to ask questions and think critically about the world around them. Discuss environmental issues, allowing them to share their thoughts and opinions. Help them understand the interconnectedness of various environmental problems and potential solutions (in age-appropriate ways). Perhaps their next school project can reflect a sustainable alternative, idea, or invention. This strengthens their analytical skills and empowers them to become informed advocates for sustainability. Embrace your children’s questions and keep an open mind. You may even watch them question the status quo. When my son turned four, he had many questions about why we did certain things as adults. It made me ask myself, “Why do we do that?” Curiosity and problem solving are wonderful skills to foster. It creates an opportunity to research something together when we don’t have all the answers. Having these skills will create purposeful and sustainable choices in their future lives.

These five effective and hands-on ways to influence our kids to appreciate sustainability may seem overwhelming, but remember to start one step at a time. Start by analyzing what room, area, or topic you want to tackle first. Adopt sustainable habits for you and your family—together.

I hope this article inspires you to start or continue gardening, read books about the environment, and have conversations with your children about sustainability. The goal is not just to teach them facts, but to instill a lifelong mindset of environmental responsibility they can feel good about. Our mindset as adults around sustainability is key. Make it fun for the kids, not a chore. It can be incredibly rewarding when we see our children make better choices because we influenced them. They may even influence their friends' families! It’s a snowball effect that creates long-term results. Together let’s nurture a love for nature and a sense of stewardship for our planet to shape a brighter and more sustainable future for generations to come.