There’s an old Chinese proverb that goes something like this.

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

The same is true about talking to your kids about the environment: It might be something that you wanted to bring up years ago, but it’s not too late to start. If they’re kids who value outdoor play, they might even be inclined to listen.

Here are a few ways to get started.

You look out the window and see your child engaged in outdoor play, and all seems right with the world. They’re having the time of their lives, and you can’t imagine anything bothering them.

But as we’ve noted in past outdoor play articles, kids get stressed. They get worried and they get down.

And while no one can be upbeat all the time, there’s something to be said for teaching your kids to be optimistic. It can help them now, and later in life.

Last year, researchers at Canisius College in New York released a study that revealed something many parents already know: children see pets as more than just animals.

“They often see themselves as the center of their pets' affections," says researcher Joshua J. Russell. "They describe their pets as siblings or best friends with whom they have strong connections.”

And when those pets die, the loss can hit children especially hard. Kids form strong bonds with their pets, whether that means playing outdoor games with a dog or snuggling up with a cat on a chilly night.

The loss of a pet might be your child’s first exposure to death. While it can be difficult – one boy told Russell “My life was over” when his cat died suddenly – there are ways to help your child cope.

We turned to some expert sources – the Nemours pediatric health system and the Humane Society – for advice on how to help children deal with the loss of a pet.

Socializing shy children might seem like a challenge.

While some kids are outgoing little fireballs, yours prefers to hang back and do her own thing. And while there's nothing wrong with being introverted, it's natural for parents to worry their child lacks confidence and is lagging in terms of social development.

Fortunately, there are ways to help your children build strong relationships with their friends and classmates. Read on to learn some tips for socializing shy children.