Water is a necessity for survival.
Considering the rapid growth of the population and the fact that water is a limited resource on this planet, it has become more important than ever that children understand the importance of water conservation from an early age.
Teaching children to save water at an early age will not only help you save on your utility bills, but will also foster your children’s interest and concern for the planet.
With that said, here are some tips for teaching and practicing water conservation at home with your children.
Get the kids acquainted with interesting facts about water.
Water conservation is a serious concern, but that doesn’t mean teaching kids to save water can’t be fun.
There is a wide range of interesting facts about water that you can tell your child to emphasize the need for water, such as:
• Water constitutes up to 70% of the earth’s surface. 90% is salt water, which is found in the oceans and is not suitable for drinking.
• Only 2.5% of the earth’s water is fresh water and 70% of the earth’s fresh water is frozen in glaciers and polar caps.
• The total amount of water on earth is the same amount that was there when the earth was created, millions of years ago.
• 70% of the human brain is made up of water and the average adult body is 60% water.
• Water is available in three forms on this planet: solid, liquid, and gas.
These were just some facts and you can find out more about water on the web. Children are more likely to remember what they have been taught when they learn it through little prompts and factoids rather than long, boring sessions.
Moving on to “do” and “don’t”
Education begins at home. Before his son gets to the chapter in his textbook that talks about talking about water in school, he can instill water-saving habits in her by teaching her the do’s and don’ts;
• Close the taps well.
• Do not leave the faucet running while brushing or washing your hands.
• Take a shower instead of a bath as it uses less water. If you must bathe, fill the tub with enough water to cover your knees and no more than that.
• Do not flush tissue, paper, or candy wrappers down the toilet, as you will use more water to flush those materials.
• Let parents know if you see a leaky faucet, bathtub, water cooler, or other device that uses water.
• Use leftover bottled water, ice cubes, bath buckets, and half-drunk glasses to hydrate lawns and plants.
• When not using sprinklers, move hoses to grassy areas.
• When you can’t finish the entire glass of water, store the remaining water in the refrigerator instead of pouring it down the sink.
• Use a cup and bucket of water to clean your bike instead of a hose.
Additional tips to promote water conservation in children
• Each time your child takes an action to save water, reward him so that he feels positive about his action and encourage him to keep doing it.
• Earth Day and Water Day are excellent opportunities to teach your little ones to take care of their planet and the importance of preserving the earth’s resources. So, keep an eye out for the events that are being organized in your local region on these days and get your child involved in the celebrations.
• Suggest to teachers and school management that they organize camps and educational programs to teach children about water conservation.
• Encourage your tech-savvy kids to search online for videos, tips, and resources related to water conservation. Allowing your children to search the internet for water saving tips on their own will give them a fun way to learn about the importance of saving water.
• Involve children in your routine and water management practices, such as when looking for leaks around your house, ask your children to join in and help you spot leaky areas.
Children are never too young to learn about the importance of water as a natural resource that humans need to survive. With these tips and practices, you’ll not only teach your child to use water wisely and avoid waste, but you’ll also build a foundation of love and care for their planet.