Children's programming weighs in on the "garbage patch"

(Photo by Jack Moreh/FreeRangeStock.com)

One day last week, my daughter said to me, "Plastic is bad for the environment."

I was surprised she knew this. Even though I've been trying to reduce our plastic use, I've never really said a whole lot to her about why. So I told her she was right, but added, "How did you know that?"

"Octonauts," she said.

For those who might not be familiar with "Octonauts," here's a quick explainer: It's an animated series featuring a troop of anthropomorphized cats and vegetables who travel the ocean saving sea creatures. Episodes include facts about the animals being rescued, such as feeding habits or how they breathe, etc.

One episode my daughter had watched earlier that day featured the main characters saving sea creatures from a "garbage patch" in the ocean and mentioned how animals can inadvertently ingest plastic and get sick.

The next time my daughter had a chocolate milk that comes in a small jug, she set it back and said she was going to use it in a craft rather than throwing it in the trash, and she did. She painted it and now uses it as a pencil holder.

I am happy she is showing an interest in taking care of the environment. I wish I'd thought to talk to her about it some before, but I'm glad she knows what she does and has considered ways she can reduce her own plastic trash. I hope she keeps this up.

Now if her dad and I could only get her to turn off a light when she leaves a room.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Living trash-free

Balancing your checkbook with less paper

Worried about our planet? Vote.