Iza (right) is a passionate advocate for the environment, and she has made it her mission to instill the same values in her daughter, Kaira. - IZA IBRAHIM
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 every year, as a global reminder of the need to protect the planet’s natural resources and the ways we care for our home.
Climate change, pollution and other environmental issues are adversely impacting our planet, so many people are adopting new, sustainable habits. Parents are also instilling these habits in their children, so the young ones understand the importance of treating the planet better.
Here, they share their experience:
Homemaker Jeanette Joyce Perkins, 38, makes it a point to remind her daughter Ashlynn Grace Oommen, six, to separate the trash into different categories: plastic, paper and kitchen waste.
“Since she was three years old, I have started explaining to her how each type of waste could be recycled or reused, and why it is important to reduce the amount of waste we produce,” says the mother of two from Kuala Lumpur.
Perkins hopes her daughter and son Christopher George Oommen, two, will be responsible and environmentally conscious, and will positively impact the world.
Perkins (right) hopes her children will grow up to be responsible and environmentally conscious. - JEANETTE PERKINS
“Children play a crucial role in taking care of the environment. They are naturally curious and eager to learn, and teaching them about the importance of environmental conservation can have a lifelong impact.”
She says another way to teach children about environmental conservation is to encourage them to reduce carbon footprint.
“Teach them to turn off the lights when they leave the room, to save water and to recycle. Eventually, they will appreciate the environment and the resources it provides.”
Businesswoman Iza Ibrahim, 45, is a passionate advocate of the environment, and she has made it her mission to instill the same values in her daughter, Kaira Anne Isitor, seven.
“It’s important to teach children that Earth brings life for everything on it. Without trees, for example, we won’t have oxygen. Children must be taught that plants and animals will go extinct if they are not protected,” said Iza.
Iza introduced Kaira to the concept of the 3Rs – reduce, reuse, and recycle – when she was in kindergarten.
These days, they regularly collect recyclable materials from their home as part of Kaira’s school recycling project.
Kaira, a Year Two student from SM Taman Megah in Petaling Jaya, is proud to reduce waste.
“I’m happy to collect items and protect the Earth. Sometimes, Mummy and I re-use boxes for my arts and craft projects,” says Kaira, who also plant napier grass for her guinea pigs.
Iza, who manages the school’s Kelab Sayang Alam, or environment club, says the programme encourages students to recycle and bring recyclables from home to help raise funds for the school,”
Iza wants Kaira to understand that every action has an impact, no matter how small.
“Children can start learning early if their parents are aware and practise the 3Rs. Children should be taught to appreciate what they have, from food to belongings. They should also accept hand-me-downs like preloved clothes, books and toys as this action prevents waste and extend the lifespan of items”
Whenever Langkawi-based businesswoman Rebecca Yau, 40, has free time, she takes her daughter Alexandra Yau Azran, seven, to the beach to collect rubbish.
Plastic bags collected around Pantai Cenang, Pantai Kok and Pantai Tengah are used as materials to create clutches, sling bags, phone pouches and tote bags.
Yau says parents must teach children to protect the environment. This promotes a sense of responsibility and encourages them to take action to save the planet.
Alexandra is concerned about plastic waste, so she helps her mother create decorative items from discarded plastic bottles and wraps collected from the beach. - REBECCA YAU
By instilling these values at a young age, they will be environmentally conscious.
“I think it is vital for children to know how our actions impact our planet. Surrounding themselves with sustainable efforts will make chidlren more aware of how a small action can have a big impact,”
Through these activities, Yau hopes Alexandra learns the importance of caring for the environment.
“Our main passion is arts and craft, so we constantly look for creative solutions to upcycle unused materials,”
Saarvesh (left) and Raatnesh are doing their part to protect the Earth. - JAYAMALINI RAGAVANSiblings Saarvesh Naidu, nine, and Raatnesh Naidu, seven, are slowly doing their part to care for Mother Earth. Their father, businessman Tharma Seelan, 41, is training them to practise the 3Rs and to be environmentally conscious.
“It is important to care for our planet because that’s what we will be leaving our children. We need to teach them that what they do now can help protect the planet.”
Tharma believes in teaching children about sustainability and environmental stewardship. His boys have learned to sort their trash, recycle and look for ways to reduce environmental impact.
He believes primary education is crucial in developing a person’s behaviour, social awareness and selflessness.
“At school, we learn values that will stay with us throughout our life. That’s why it is important to spark that interest in caring for the environment,”
