Many parents agree that raising children in an eco-conscious environment keeps them healthy and teaches them to live responsibly. Having a playground with rubber mulch flooring is just one more way to show children how important it is to live safely and responsibly. Actions speak louder than words; there are many ways to incorporate green and healthy living into daily routines that will infuse children with the importance of this concept.

Recycle

It sounds so simple, but many people don’t do it. In order to teach children to recycle it is important to have a separate trash can for recyclable objects, with different colored bags or some other obvious differentiation. One of the milestones that are part of growing up is learning to throw garbage into the trash can. In the same vein, children can be taught to differentiate between regular garbage and recyclable objects, and place them in the right can. Children should also be taught to throw out less and try to reuse more. Using recycled rubber mulch in playgrounds is a great way to show them that parents practice what they preach.

Eco-Friendly Wrapping Paper

Using wrapping paper that gets torn and thrown away is a great way to practice in conspicuous consumption. There are many other options that are inexpensive and practical. Reusable shopping bags, like the ChicoBag is one alternative, as well as a new product by Cascades, of Canada. The new wrapping paper is 100% recycled and comes in a variety of colors and designs. One of its best features is that the paper is not rolled around a cardboard tube in the center, making it entirely eco-friendly. Due to the absence of the tube the roll looks smaller, but it provides the same amount of paper as a regular roll. The wrapping paper sells for $12 for three rolls, a fair price.

Eco-Friendly Toys

The eco-friendly toy industry is an entire entity, with many companies vying for parents’ attention, but it’s often hard to distinguish between toys that sound eco-conscious and the ones that really are. Plan Toys is one of the few companies that are trustworthy. The toys are made in Thailand, out of kiln-dried rubberwood. They may not be as fancy as the generic toy brands, but they aren’t plastic, and they offer the same educational value.

Outdoor Play

It is a good idea to get eco-friendly toys for the kids, but an even better method is to let them play outside. Rather than sitting with computers and video games, the healthiest way for kids to play is by enjoying the outdoors and mulch-floored playgrounds in a truly natural and healthy fashion.

There are some parents who are fans of vitamins and some who aren’t. It is something that lies with personal preference. Even those who are skeptical of vitamins give their child the necessary vitamin D and other supplements, but then there are mothers who refuse vaccines and reach for herbal remedies at every turn. This becomes a problem when information is withheld from the child’s pediatrician. Recent studies have shown a problem specifically with Melatonin, a supplement given to help children sleep.

Many parents struggle with bedtimes, as children plead to stay up. Children with ADHD or other behavioral issues who are on medication may require Melatonin to help them sleep at night. However, the average child does not need sleep supplements. Many parents think that melatonin is harmless because it is a natural hormone secreted by the body to establish sleep patterns, so the supplement is just that, a supplement. However, many physicians think otherwise, and are concerned with its use. Very little research has been done as of yet on melatonin tablets, and it is being sold without approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Some children have complained of constant nightmares while on Melatonin, while others wake up feeling hungover, with slower reaction times.

It is every parent’s responsibility to okay with their pediatrician anything they give to their children. While doctors are not sure about the benefits of melatonin, there is a sure way to keep kids safe – rubber mulch. Rubber mulch provides optimum playground safety, and will reduce the severity of injuries even if your child does stumble due to drowsiness. You can think of the rubber mulch flooring as the safety net for tired, clumsy children. The rubber material has a bounce and shock absorbency that makes playtime fun and safer than ever. This is a fact that has been proven.