The environment is a very common topic of discussion in modern day society. It’s a big issue that is already affecting the way we live and function from generations ago. But there are ways we can do our bit, even in small and more manageable ways.

To help guide our children through the changes to our planet, here are some ways you can promote an eco-friendly lifestyle in the home as recommended by this nursery in Esher.

Try out gardening

A very natural way of helping your child learn to understand what’s around us on the planet is through the more natural ways of growing food for the home. Children can explore how plants are made, how long it takes for certain crops to grow and how they can be used to feed a home. These all make your child learn about how their favourite fruits and vegetables are made, and maybe make a more conscious effort in learning where their food comes from.

Make eco-friendly lunches together

It’s tempting to put together a range of snacks and pre-packaged foods in your child’s lunch bag, but you can get even more out of it if you work together to make food. Make up sandwiches at home, or get more adventurous with your cooking and make some small salads for children to take to school. Opt for more fruits and vegetable snacks to promote a healthy diet and reduce packaging. Any rubbish your child does have can be brought back home to be recycled properly.

Show your child subtle ways the world is changing

Heatwaves and stormy weather are a result of climate change. It’s important that your child is aware of these changes. Take regular walks and show your child the changes to wildlife habitats, scenery and tree growth to remind them of how we can all hope to make a difference in the world.

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From a very early age, well in their nursery years, your child will be discovering how different words are formed and how they will benefit from their use. Nurseries will provide a range of learning materials, and following the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, to work on their literacy, numeracy and speech, among other skills.

From there, parents can jump in to provide their children with actionable ways to manage their vocabulary skills. Here are some top tips to try out at home with your child.

Find synonyms of words they already know

Having different words in your child’s back pocket will help them with the variation of words they’ll use on a regular basis. First off, keep practicing the words your child already knows. Then you can begin to switch this up with new words and repeat those continuously. Repetition is your best friend and works with your child, who will always be looking to you for guidance.

Sing songs

Songs are a classic way to get children to practice different words and how they’re pronounced. They will give your child the chance to remember how these words sound and where they can be used in different contexts. Many songs can be used at school, but you can also find videos online of popular sing-along songs, as well as the many songs sung in your child’s favourite TV shows and films.

Try out creative writing activities

When your child has the chance to write about different things then you should invite them to write creatively. To motivate them you can get your child to write about their favourite things to do, their favourite foods and ask them to describe themselves or friends or family. Use these as good prompts for your child to write freely about whatever comes to mind and see what vocabulary they pick up.

Learning styles are interesting to take note of as they can help you to revolutionise the way that you learn and get things done. If your child is at school, knowing this can ensure that they get the most out of their lessons. To find out which they have, complete a survey or cross reference your observations against the typical learner traits that we have included below from a senior school in Herefordshire.

Kinaesthetic Learners

These learners like to jump straight into the deep end and get stuck in. They enjoy more practical means of learning and would much rather engage in a science experiment than copy out pages of a textbook. This is the reason why they thrive and enjoy STEM related subjects. If your child has this learning style, outdoor learning opportunities and field trips are things that you may want to consider.

Visual Learners

A visual learner likes diagrams and illustrations. For them, it’s important that they can see things clearly e.g., by having concise notes and that they can see the board. If your child falls into this category, you may want to speak with their teacher to see if you can arrange for them to be moved to the front of the class.

Auditory Learners

An auditory learner can be categorised as someone that responds well to instructions and likes hearing things back. It’s the way that they remember things which is why when teaching them, you should experiment with your tone of voice and repetition. Children with this learning style can also benefit from sitting at the front as it ensures that they can hear clearly and take everything spoken about on board.

There are in fact 4 additional learning styles. They are lesser known but just as important to note. They are: 

• Verbal (Linguistic)
• Logical (Mathematical)
• Social (Interpersonal)
• Solitary (Intrapersonal)

There’s no set way of raising children and nothing can really prepare you for it. There are life skills, however, that are fundamental which knowing can help. A boys’ school in Surrey has shared them with us below.

Cooking

Knowing how to feed yourself is a survival skill even in today’s day and age. Microwave meals and freezer food will only take you so far. Nutrition plays an important role in how we feel and our overall health which is why it's important for children to know how to make proper food. While now might not be the right time to launch them into making gourmet meals, there are lots of simple and safe things that you can teach them to make like sandwiches for example.

Communication

They’ll need to also talk and work with others which is why you should look out for opportunities where they can meet and befriend others. If they aren’t yet comfortable with that, make more time to speak to your child. That can be about their day, what is going on at school and within their social circle.

Problem Solving

Problem solving is also imperative to teach. It’s the skill that they will need to create innovative ideas and navigate their way out of the dilemmas that they find themselves in. This requires creative thinking and the ability to consider alternative perspectives.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the next most important as it involves weighing up those ideas to select the best one. It involves analysis, forward thinking and evaluation. 

Emotional Intelligence

Being able to read others is important for socialising. It can help you to make those around you feel better and avoid hurting their feelings.

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STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and in recent years there’s been a heavy push on developing children within these areas. As we know, there’s a widening skills gap that we’re seeing in the corresponding industries and investment into education is being made in response. The fields offer prestigious career opportunities, boast impressive salary expectations, and offer unrivalled job security. To help your child improve and explore opportunities in STEM, follow the guidance that we have included below from a girls’ preparatory school. 

Water Play

Science can be lots of fun and is something that you can help your child with at home using just a bucket full of water. You can teach them all about forces by picking up and dropping objects that you can find straight in. For a bit of fun, why not turn it into a guessing game where you can earn points?