(WSVN) — Think your little one is too young to learn how to recycle? One local mom is teaching kids how to protect the planet and their future, the fun way. 7’s Lynn Martinez shows us in today’s Parent to Parent.

These toddlers are already learning a life-long lesson.

“What is this? A fish! Yes, a fish.”

Nova Southeastern University Professor Dr. Guenola Nonet says it is never too early to teach kids about protecting the planet!

Guenola Nonet: “I want to make sure that the world will be as beautiful and even more beautiful.”

So, this mother of a toddler herself brought her earthly message to these pre-schoolers at the Mailman Segal Center.

These little ones learned how to separate paper and plastic bottles into the proper bins and even though global warming is a foreign concept at this age, they got a pretty cool demonstration.

Guenola Nonet: “They could take the ice and feel when it’s in their hands, it’s warmer, it is melting.”

Dr. Nonet says parents can teach their kids about saving the environment at home.

Guenola Nonet: “It’s all about baby steps.”

First, she says re-use. Marco’s books, most of his toys and even his clothes are not brand new.

Guenola Nonet: “We have a lot of second hand clothes, especially for children, they grow so fast.”

Next she says reduce. Teach kids to turn off the lights when they leave a room.

Guenola Nonet: “This is reducing the amount of energy we’re using and this is actually saving money.”

And of course, recycle. She says a great project to do as a family is to create a mini-compost.

Guenola Nonet: “Our vegetables come to us as food but the leftover goes to the earth or to animals and it recycles.”

Marco’s parents even built him a playhouse out of a used box.

So, the lesson here for mom and dad is to be creative and your kids will follow your carbon footprints.

Guenola Nonet: “Help others to get engaged, to create a ripple effect, so that’s what I’m hoping to create.”

Lynn Martinez: Dr. Nonet even rides her bike to work every day with her son in the back. Now that’s commitment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.nova.edu
www.nova.edu/humandevelopment

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