While everyone should care about sustainability and curbing pollution, no one should care more than parents, because their children and all future decedents will have to endure the results of our currently unsustainable way of life. We at Greening Detroit are developing and promoting apps, cartoons, facts, toys, and video games that make learning about environmental issues fun. A child that cares about the environment becomes an adult who cares, who then have children of their own.
As a parent, you know that as much as we try to teach our children everything thing they will need to grow up into happy, kind, successful adults, it’s what we do and how we live that has the most impact on then. We can teach them to eat well but, if they see us bring home fast food, they will fail to value real food over toxic, edible, food-like substances. “Do what I say, not what I do,” is as well known a saying as it is hypocritically deplorable. If you believe something is good, demonstrate that to your child though action, not words. If accepting the responsibility of bringing a new life into the world—our shared home—don’t inspire you to become a better adult, then nothing will.
You read to them, teach them sports, and go for walks in parks and trails though the woods whenever possible but, sometimes, you just want them to do something, anything other than watch trash TV and play violent video games. And that’s where we come in.
The sustainability gladiators at Greening Detroit humbly present solid links to apps, cartoons, fun facts, toys, and yes, video games, that do more than simply pacify bored minds, they build a foundation of environmental awareness that could stay with your child for a lifetime. As important as it is to learn how to read and write, if a child fails to learn to value and protect her own environment, how can she be expected to become a productive citizen of earth?
Sustainability is not partisan issue. It is related to but above any single religion or ideology. Until we find a practical way to leave it, the protection of our home, planet earth, is among the most important passions you can possible instil upon your child. I hope you use the following suggested links as the first stepping stone toward raising the future stewards of our shared home. The only home we have.
apps
http://www.sustainabilityaware.com/
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/green-games-for-kids-0
cartoons
https://practicalaction.org/conceptcartoons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Quy-b_ZOxBA
https://www.thoughtco.com/popular-shows-for-preschoolers-2109064
fun facts
http://gogreencyclopedia.blogspot.com/2013/09/50-facts-about-your-environment-for-kids.html
http://www.centerforsustainability.org/funstuff.php
toys
http://www.greentoys.com/our-passion
http://www.treehugger.com/green-home/11-baby-toys-are-green-sustainable-and-too-cute-resist.html
video games
http://www.energyhog.org/childrens.htm
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/green-games-for-kids-0
https://www.epa.gov/students/games-quizzes-and-more#games