Off the Urban Grid

Teaching Children the Veggie Way

While it’s important to hold compassionate values, it’s even more important to pass those values onto your children. Sitting down with your children and discussing what they can do for the environment provides them with a positive outlet and purpose.

Animal cruelty and disrespect for the environment are sometimes characteristics of children with behavioral problems. Teaching your child to be patient and understanding toward animals as well as not to litter the ground can help them mature into respectful and kind adults.

Children are inquisitive, especially when they are between the ages of three and five. Although they might not completely understand everything you explain to them, you can show them instead.

Taking them to a petting zoo and having them interact with the farm animals can be an introduction. Some schools might have extracurricular activities or groups that involve planting trees and helping the community.

Honesty is often the best policy when it comes to children. If you don’t tell them the truth now, they will eventually find out. Instead of painting a horrific picture of slaughterhouses, find out what they know first. Ask them questions to see where they think wood, meat and other foods come from. Find out how they feel about the information they have discover on their own.

Always keep an open communication and give them time to figure it out for themselves. Maybe they feel fine with eating meat right now, because they are not yet capable of making the connection. However, continue the discussions so that when they get older, they can make an informed decision.

If you decide to raise your child as a vegetarian or vegan, you should know that it’s possible. Mealtime should be fun with dishes that are colorful, tasty and nutritious. You should also make them aware that not all children are vegetarian and that is OK. This way they are not surprised when they begin school and find out that not everyone is like them.

Part of being a kid is fitting in so don’t be surprised if they lose sight for a while. Show them that they can still eat like the other children by preparing soy sloppy joes, vegetable burgers and soy ice cream.

It’s difficult to talk to a child about healthy ways of living, but when you get them involved and engaged in something because it’s fun and hands on, you most likely hit home with the idea.

Tags: teaching kids sustainability, vegetarian children, veggie children