Many parents think of their children as 'mini educators' at home – because of their attitudes towards the environment

More than seven in 10 parents consider their children ‘mini educators’ at home, crediting them for changing attitudes and behaviour towards littering, use of plastic and food consumption.
The detailed report of 1,000 youngsters aged 6 to 12, and their parents, delves into children’s views and insights on how behaviours at home affect the planet as a whole.
It found primary schools are influential on issues such as what can be done about climate change and whether the family should eat meat.
Children revealed they’d consider recyclables being incorrectly thrown in the bin an illegal offence (33 per cent).
And they’d like to see more meat-free meals served in a bid to help the environment, with 36 per cent wanting a way to have their say on government decisions around climate change.
The findings were part of a comprehensive report produced by Birds Eye’s Green Cuisine which has been backed by child clinical psychologist, Dr. Elizabeth Kilbey.
Dr. Kilbey said: “I think it’s essential this generation’s voice is heard.
“The research has highlighted how children have important views they’d like to be taken seriously by adults on everything from food to the planet.
“However, there’s some really interesting insight on their opinions of doing things like cutting meat from their diets a little more to help protect the planet.
“Recent stats from YouGov show that there is an increasing trend towards consumers adopting more flexitarian diets, with many believing this is healthier for them – with the added bonus that we know eating more plant-based foods could help to cut carbon emissions by up to 60 per cent.
“This research is shining a light on how smart and clued-up kids are in a bid to bring them into the conversations that will impact their futures.”
Further insight from the report also revealed over a third (34 per cent) of children