As parents, we hope to raise our children with good, strong values. Sure, we hope that they will develop their own as they grow into adults, but we also hope that our teachings will guide them into making good choices in life.

Honesty, integrity, loyalty, kindness… the list of values varies from family to family. Some families base their values on family traditions, while others do so based on their religion. Still others may create values out of their own belief systems. Many parents base their election votes on what they call “family values.”

While many of these values are very worthy of being taught to children worldwide, not all families agree on them. For example, some parents believe that being pro-choice is a family value, while others believe that the opposite is. One universal family value that all families should adopt, however, is environmental stewardship.

Kids need to be taught that the earth is our home, and for that reason we need to preserve it, ensuring that it last for generations to come. We don’t allow our children to keep their homes or rooms messy; why should we allow them to litter or destroy trees?

Teaching environmental stewardship has never been easier than it is today. You certainly won’t be labeled a hippie as your own parents might have been; instead, you will simply be considered normal—even trendy!—as environmentalism spreads as a cause close to many people’s hearts.

You can teach many core principles about the environment through things you do in your home. For example, while not running water while you brush your teeth, you can mention a bit about how water is scarce in so many places—including our own country—so we need to be careful about how much we use ourselves. You can recycle cans and use it as a science lesson, explaining that even if we think our trash has finished serving us, we can give it a brand new life. You might even want to look up recycled items online to show your children what can become of their discards.

By composting, you can teach your children about how we try not to waste anything—you could even tie this in with lessons about native American tribes. When you settle conflicts in your home or at the playground, you can say it’s important that we maintain peace to keep the planet safe and healthy.

How do you teach your kids about the environment? Share your lessons and ideas here!