Most things young children learn come from their parents. Learning about and protecting the environment is one more of those things.

Young children usually are interested in learning about ways to protect the environment. They are not always the best about doing all the things they could do but some will stick.

There are many ways a child can protect the environment. Talk with your child about what he can do that would make a difference. Then see what impact you have made.

Here are a few ways you could ask him to try:

• Turn off lights and other things that use electricity when you are not using them. This includes the lights in your room and in the bathroom.

• Turn water taps off tightly so they do not drip. Tell others if you find a leak.

• Conserve water by not wasting it. Do not let the water run while you brush your teeth.

• Start a compost pile. This can help your parents get rid of food trimmings and leftovers, grass and plant trimmings. Do not put meat scraps in the compost pit.

• Water in the coolest part of the day and on non-windy days. This saves water.

• Donate your used toys to needy groups or give them to others. Do not throw away good toys. It even makes you feel good about giving old toys to others especially if you really liked them.

• Do not throw away clothes you have outgrown. Either think of smaller children who might use them or give them to the Goodwill or other places that will recycle them.

• Do not even throw away used books and magazines. See if the library, a friend or Goodwill would like them.

• Keep your windows closed in the winter. You want the cold to stay outside and not bring it in. Be sure to close windows when you are gone unless it is very warm outside.

• Help sort trash. Try recycling newspapers, glass or cans to help the environment.

• Do not waste paper when you use the computer. It is better to recycle than to throw a bunch of paper away. Help your parents keep old newspapers for recycling. You can put them into disposable plastic bags

• Be careful about using too many disposable plastic containers because usually they are not biodegradable.

• Never throw garbage of any kind in lakes, by streams, on the roads and any place but in trashcans.

• Plant a tree. Trees help reduce air pollution by absorbing carbon dioxide. You can then watch your tree grow. It is fun to have something you planted grow. Maybe it will be a Christmas tree sometime in the future.

• Ask your mom or dad to not buy disposable products such as plastic razors, paper plates and plastic cups.

• Reuse your old supermarket plastic bags.

• Switch off your computer or the television when you aren’t using them. This saves energy.

• Take a short shower. Get in and then suds up fast.

• Sort your trash and see how much you can recycle.

• Try not to throw away too much. That means food, toys, paper, books and just about everything.

Talk with your child about other things he can do that would help. Most children have some good ideas that they could try. Try to make recycling fun as well as important.

Compliment your child when he is being a responsible citizen. Actually, we all need to compliment young people and anyone when they are doing the right thing.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which publishes newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents. Reach Martin at pmf@olypen.com or at 681-2250.