Posted by Teach Your Child/ren About the Environment!
For the past few years there has been debates about the best way for parents to educate their children about the environment. Many believe the environmental information educators and parents convey to their children only share the ‘gloom and doom’ stories, rather than actively teach them green practices. But to the average parent finding an accurate balance for environmental information can sometimes be a challenge.
Outdoor opportunities-
There are some simple ways parents can help children understand the importance of the environment. Giving children the opportunity to learn about the environment outdoors is a good way for them to understand its importance.
Doing activities like gardening and explaining to them why it is necessary for the environment, will help them appreciate the need for keeping it clean. Allow them to watch the plants grow and observe the wildlife that surrounds them.
Nowadays children spend too much time indoors and would probably benefit from the time outdoors where they can actually experience the changes in the environment. They will more than likely get a better understanding of environmental issues if they experience it first hand.
Take the green lead-
One of the best ways to teach your child/ren about the environment is to be a good role model yourself. If you show respect for the environment, wildlife and nature then your child will be able to see that it is a good thing. If you show them how it is done, then they will follow the ‘green’ lead.
Here are some suggestions for you to help teach your child/ren about the environment.
Encourage outdoor learning when at home- although your child might get environmental lessons at school make sure you do something as a family at home. Tray and plant a garden or tree and watch it grow. Visit a local park and learn about the different plants that are there and how they grow. Make a birdhouse or bird feeder that will attract wildlife. Also have children collect different flowers in your backyard; teach them about the importance of keeping things green.
Take a weekend camping trip- head to a national park. Go for a hike, swim or canoe down the river or visit a rainforest, whatever you do spend time with your children to explain the plants and animals that live in that habitat. Allow them to draw pictures or take photos of what they see. Check out books about nature and let your children take them along.
Take part in community environmental activities- join in on recycle programs or competitions or take part in cleaning up your local park. Work with the parent school association and help your child’s school get green. Clean up the school grounds and take part in working bees.
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