World Environment Day serves as a global platform to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable living. As the world grapples with pressing environmental challenges, it's imperative to instil a sense of environmental responsibility in the next generation. Parents, as the primary educators of their children, have a unique opportunity to shape their children's attitudes and behaviours towards the environment. By teaching their children eco-friendly habits, parents can instil a sense of environmental responsibility that will benefit both their children and the planet.

Here are some eco-friendly habits that parents can teach their children to foster a more sustainable future. These habits focus on reducing waste, conserving resources, protecting wildlife, and making environmentally conscious choices. By incorporating these practices into their daily lives, children can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable planet for generations to come.

Habits Kids Should Learn

Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children's attitudes and behaviours towards the environment. Here are 9 eco-friendly habits parents can teach their children:

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Teaching children the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle can help them develop a mindset of sustainability. Encourage them to think critically about their consumption habits and find ways to minimize waste. By reducing their consumption, reusing items whenever possible, and recycling materials, children can make a significant contribution to environmental protection.

Conserve Water

Water is a precious resource that is essential for life. Teach children the importance of conserving water and demonstrate practical ways to reduce water usage. This could include taking shorter showers, turning off the faucet while brushing teeth, fixing leaky faucets, and using water-efficient appliances. By conserving water, children can help to protect our planet's natural resources.

Save Energy

Energy consumption has a significant impact on the environment. Teach children how to conserve energy by turning off lights when not in use, unplugging electronics, and using energy-efficient appliances. Explain the benefits of energy conservation, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving money on energy bills.

Plant Trees

Trees play a vital role in the environment by absorbing carbon dioxide, providing shade, and supporting biodiversity. Encourage your children to plant trees in your community or backyard. Explain the benefits of trees and the positive impact they can have on the environment.

Compost Food Waste

Composting food scraps is a simple and effective way to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for gardening. Teach children how to set up a compost bin and the benefits of composting for the environment. By composting, children can help to reduce landfill waste and create a more sustainable ecosystem.

Choose Sustainable Products

Encourage your children to choose products that are made from sustainable materials and have minimal packaging. Explain the importance of supporting businesses that prioritize environmental responsibility. By making conscious choices, children can help to reduce their environmental impact.

Reduce Plastic Consumption

Plastic pollution is a major environmental problem. Teach children the harmful effects of plastic and encourage them to use reusable bags, water bottles, and containers. Explain the importance of reducing plastic waste and the positive impact it can have on our oceans and wildlife.

Educate and Protect Wildlife

Wildlife plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Teach children the importance of wildlife conservation and encourage them to respect and protect animals. Explain the threats facing many species and the steps they can take to help protect them.

Walk, Bike, or Take Public Transportation

Reducing car pollution is essential for protecting our air quality and combating climate change. Encourage your children to walk, bike, or take public transportation whenever possible. Explain the benefits of reducing car use, such as improving air quality, reducing traffic congestion, and promoting physical activity.

With infertility affecting an estimated one in six couples, experts at the Times Network India Health Summit 2026 spoke about the importance of seeking timely reproductive health advice and acquiring awareness about treatment options.

They discussed how advancements in fertility treatment have improved the chances of conception, but in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cannot guarantee a pregnancy.

During a panel discussion titled “The Fertility Revolution: Reimagining Parenthood in Modern India,” experts also examined how technology is shaping fertility care, while focusing on the limits of treatment, the cost of repeated IVF cycles and the dire need to address stigma around infertility.

IVF Is A Ray Of Hope For Many Couples But Not A Guarantee

Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, Founder and Managing Director of Bloom IVF India, spoke about the improvement in IVF outcomes over the past three decades. “When I started my own area in 1990, the success rate was 5%. Now it has gone to 30%,” he said.

Pai also spoke about the expansion of India's fertility treatment sector, saying the country had moved from an emerging field to one with centres capable of matching international units in performance.

Technology is also fueling more possibilities in reproductive treatment. Pai discussed the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to assist with embryo selection, egg assessment and sperm identification, alongside emerging techniques like robotic-assisted microinjection.

However, Dr. Abha Majumdar, Emeritus Consultant in IVF and Human Reproduction at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, cautioned against allowing these advances and spoke about the importance of maintaining unrealistic expectations.

“IVF is not a miracle,” she said, emphasising that patients should receive accurate information about likely outcomes and the limitations of treatment.

Majumdar also raised concerns about AI-generated advertisements promising successful IVF cycles. She stressed that technological progress does not remove the responsibility to communicate treatment outcomes honestly and compassionately.

Age And Fertility Preservation

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For couples considering parenthood later in life, understanding age-related fertility decline is important. Dr. Ranjana Sharma, Senior Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, explained that women are born with a finite supply of eggs, which declines over time.

She highlighted the need for greater awareness of reproductive timing and the options available to people who plan to delay pregnancy.

Majumdar also discussed reproductive autonomy, noting that women increasingly have the freedom to decide when, or whether, to have children. However, she cautioned against viewing egg freezing as a guarantee of future pregnancy, describing it instead as a form of insurance.

Fertility preservation may also be relevant for people facing medical treatments that could affect their reproductive potential. Pai highlighted egg freezing before chemotherapy or radiation therapy as an option for some women who wish to preserve the possibility of having children later.

Sperm freezing can similarly help some men preserve fertility before cancer treatment or in circumstances where future fertility may be a concern.

Financial Burden Of IVF

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Even when treatment is available, its cost can be anobstacle. Some patients require more than one IVF cycle, making the overall expense staggering.

Majumdar warned that repeated treatment can become expensive for some families. Although access to fertility services and insurance coverage have improved, affordability remains an important concern.

She also emphasised that patients need realistic information before beginning treatment, including an understanding that one cycle may not result in pregnancy.

Dr. Vimal Grover, who spoke about rising infertility and changing reproductive patterns, identified delayed marriage and childbearing, along with work-related stress, among the factors she had observed. She also pointed to AI's potential role in transforming fertility care.

“One in six couples is infertile,” Grover said. The figure highlights the scale of the infertility crisis in the country.

Male Infertility Remains Overlooked

The panel also addressed the tendency to blame women when couples experience difficulty conceiving. Sharma said women are often held responsible for infertility, even though reproductive difficulties can involve either partner. She also said that fertility specialists increasingly make a point of consulting both partners to encourage shared responsibility for getting tested and treated.

Pai similarly emphasised the importance of evaluating male fertility. Alongside sperm freezing before chemotherapy or radiation therapy, he highlighted its relevance for men with low sperm counts and some patients who may need fertility treatment in the future.

The experts urged couples experiencing difficulties conceiving to seek medical advice rather than feel ashamed or assume that infertility is solely a woman's concern.

The panel was part of the Times Network India Health Summit 2026, held in New Delhi under the theme “The Blueprint for a Future-Ready Healthcare Ecosystem – Innovation. Access. Self-Reliance.” The summit brought together healthcare leaders, clinicians, researchers, policymakers and industry stakeholders to discuss the future of India's healthcare system.

At the Times Network India Health Summit 2026, Dr. Deepak Kumar, Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) said that suicidal thoughts should be treated as a medical emergency requiring immediate professional help, just as in cardiac emergencies.

He said, “A death wish is usually a cry for help. Just as we provide immediate medical care during cardiac emergencies, suicide risk also requires urgent medical attention.”

Speaking during a session titled “The Next Frontier in Indian Psychiatry: Specialization, Geriatric Mental Health, and De-addiction Strategies”, Dr. Kumar discussed the importance of recognising early warning signs and monitoring screen time in children to prevent serious mental health disorders.

Dr. Kumar stressed that suicidal thoughts or a wish to die should never be treated casually as they could be silent cries for help.

"It is a very good thing to give space to mind and mental health in a health conclave. If we look at the numbers in our country, the total proportion is alarming. For example, the national mental health survey shows a lifetime prevalence of 13.7%. One in every 5 people has some psychological issue. Suicide statistics show 12 per lakh. Top 3 causes of death in young adults - one of them is suicide."

Excessive Screen Time Can Affect Children's Mental Health

While discussing smartphones and social media, Dr. Kumar said excessive screen use can interfere with daily functioning as one could be hooked on instant dopamine hit.

He spoke about gaming addiction disorders and said that such problematic smartphone use and excessive screen exposure are forms of behavioural addiction.

He said, “I will not advocate a blanket ban on smartphones like in Australia as they can also support education and learning.”

He advocated for judicious use among children and more awareness among parents to prevent excessive screen exposure.

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Why Parents Should Set Screen-Time Limits

Dr. Kumar expressed concern about parents giving smartphones to very young children. He also recommended avoiding screen time for children under two and limiting use among older children.

He also said that Parents should pay attention to changes in children's sleep, mood, social interactions and everyday activities. He said looking out for signs like social withdrawal, distress or other behavioural changes should be priority.

Behavioural Changes Can Be Mental Health Concerns

According to Dr. Kumar, psychiatric conditions are often identified through symptoms and changes in a person's thoughts, emotions and behaviour, rather than through blood tests or imaging alone.

Diagnosis depends on the nature, duration and severity of symptoms, as well as their effect on everyday functioning, relationships and family or social life.

A sudden change in behaviour can be a warning sign. Someone who is usually cheerful, for instance, may become withdrawn, gloomy or reluctant to leave their room. Constant mood changes, behavioural outbursts and changes associated with substance use may also warrant attention.

Physical conditions can affect mental well-being, too. Dr. Kumar cited thyroid disorders and diabetes as examples of conditions that may be associated with depression or anxiety.

When Emily Hughes saw that her 18-month-old daughter, Scarlett, had a swollen knee in late 2023, she initially thought it might be an injury from the toddler’s routine playtime. Scarlett was energetic and adventurous, and the swelling did not appear to cause her pain.

But the swelling did not improve, and further examinations eventually led to a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), a chronic inflammatory condition that affects children.

Hughes, who lives in Australia, told Mamamia that several doctors initially found no cause behind her daughter’s symptoms. The situation changed in February 2024, when Scarlett’s knee became hot, painful and more severely swollen. She could no longer bear weight on the affected leg. “She wouldn’t bear weight, and it was even more swollen,” Hughes said.

Scarlett was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, where doctors initially thought it was septic arthritis, a serious joint infection. Investigations failed but the family continued consulting specialists.

By May, after other possible explanations got investigated, Scarlett was referred to a rheumatologist and diagnosed with juvenile arthritis affecting three joints.

Now four years old, Scarlett is in remission and has returned to physical activities like climbing and doing cartwheels. Her experience highlights why stubborn joint swelling and changes in a young child’s movement deserve emergency medical attention, even when the child is not in pain.

What Is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis?

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Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common form of chronic arthritis in children. It refers to a group of several conditions in which the immune system triggers inflammation in the joints by mistake. Although genetic and environmental factors may contribute, the exact cause is unknown.

The condition can affect children younger than 16 and may involve one or several joints. The knees, ankles, wrists and elbows are commonly affected.

Unlike arthritis, JIA can begin during toddlerhood. Its symptoms may also be difficult to recognise as young children cannot always describe pain, stiffness or discomfort accurately.

There is no single test that confirms JIA. Doctors start by assessing the child’s symptoms, medical history and physical examination, and may use blood tests and imaging to investigate inflammation and rule out other conditions.

Signs Of Juvenile Arthritis Parents Should Not Ignore

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According to the US National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents should watch for the following symptoms:

1. Continued joint swelling

A knee, ankle, wrist or other joint that remains swollen should be assessed on priority. In JIA, painless swelling may occur even when the child seems comfortable.

2. Morning stiffness

Children may struggle to move a joint after waking up or after sitting still for a long time. Stiffness may improve as they become more active during the day.

3. Limping or reluctance to walk

A toddler who starts limping, avoids putting weight on one leg or has difficulty walking may be experiencing joint inflammation.

4. Difficulty bending or straightening a joint

Limited movement is also one of the signs. A child may struggle to straighten an elbow, bend a knee or move a limb as freely as before.

5. Changes in play and everyday activities

A child who suddenly avoids climbing, running or playing, or struggles with activities they previously dud easily, may have pain or stiffness.

Some children with JIA may also experience fatigue, fever, rash or reduced appetite, depending on the type of disease. Untreated inflammation can damage joints and interfere with a child’s movement and development. Early diagnosis and treatment aim to control inflammation, maintain joint function and help children maintain their usual activities.

JIA can also affect the eyes. Some children develop uveitis, inflammation inside the eye that may cause no obvious symptoms initially but can threaten vision if left untreated. Regular eye examinations are therefore an important part of JIA.