In our times, ecology is something that is assuming greater importance by the day. This fact makes it all the more necessary for us to transmit this knowledge and awareness about the environment to our children. Through teaching kids about ecology, we can ensure that children respect the entire world and through caring for and preserving wildlife, we ensure that the world continues to be habitable. We need to train our children to become aware of and practice habits that serve to protect nature and the larger world.
Essentially the earth has five types of natural assets, which are as follows:
- Trees and plants
- Animals
- Water
- Land and
- Human beings
Lead By Example
Our ecosystem consists of all these factors, and the point to highlight is the word- ALL. Yes, it is an all-encompassing whole of which we are only a part. As humans, our actions have a significant impact on the world. Considering that the earth’s resources are limited, our acts can create and destroy the larger world we live in. That is one primary reason we need to impart children the ability to create and care for the world. To achieve this respect and love for nature, we need to ensure that children explore nature more and form an emotional attachment with nature and wildlife. Children are influenced by their parents a lot, so a lot of this responsibility falls on your shoulders. You need to lead by example and follow the right behavior and attitude necessary for kids to learn. Remember to buy only eco-friendly gifts for kids as this sends out the right message. In the coming few decades, many lovable animals are set to disappear, making conservation immensely important. However, don’t just sulk, instead highlight to your children the positives we can still achieve by doing the required steps.
Helping Children Learn About The Environment
There is little better than actual involvement when we are talking about things like imparting ecology lessons. The best way to teach about the environment would be to let children experience it. Irrespective of your home location, feel free to take your kids to natural places like local parks or outdoors. They will learn much about nature by experiencing the outdoors firsthand. Before you set out to visit such sites:
- Make it a point to research the place.
- Find out facts like what trees and plants are found there and what kind of animals live there.
- Try to ensure that your children come across them and learns about flora and fauna.
Essential Tips
Don’t rely solely on one-off trips to teach your kids more about nature. Instead, make it a part of regular life. Try things like teaching about a new plant or tree every time you visit a park. Teach them about the trees your kids pass through while on their commute to school. Another good idea is to teach kids about creatures of insects to a nearby beach if there’s one in your location. While you are out on such mini-expeditions with your kids, make it a point to keep a magnifying glass with yourself. It helps! Other ideas you want to try out are as follows:
Create A Wildlife Zone At Your Home
Do you have a home garden? Then, you should separate a part of it as a wildlife zone. Feel free to plant wild plants and flowers in this area to interest bees and butterflies. You are also free to create a winter shelter meant for insects in this wildlife zone. Your balcony may potentially prove to be of mighty use with wildlife too. If you set up a bird feeder on your patio, you can potentially attract birds. You will be surprised at the many birds you attract by providing some simple food and water and maybe some shelter.
Provide Sponsorship For An Animal
Sponsoring an animal could be an outstanding gift to your kid for his or her birthday. It need not be expensive. For a single dollar or pound monthly, you can teach your kid more about the animal through monthly letters or magazines. These will update the kid on how the authorities are taking care of the animal. The animal need not be a wild animal but can be an animal in a sanctuary like an abandoned dog or cat or a donkey.
Encourage Kids To Write More About Their Favorite Plant Or Animals
Another great way to teach kids about ecology is to ask them to place themselves in the shoes of a particular animal they especially fancy. To successfully carry out this task, the child will need to learn more about its habitat, food habits, lifespan, and threats to its life. It will give your child the gift of a whole new perspective on life and the larger world. You will often be surprised by the animals who strike up your kid’s fancy.
The basic message you need to convey to your child by imparting them with ecology lessons is that we are all connected. There are plenty of YouTube videos that drive home this message and try to share some of the better ones with your children. Through these videos, you need to go home in your child’s mind about how they can minimize their activities’ environmental impact. We are trying to achieve a more sustainable future for all of us. For this, we need the dedicated cooperation and efforts of our children too. Here’s to your child feeling worked up and excited about ecology!