Every year, we humans celebrate ‘World Environment Day’ on June 5. It may be just another day on the adult calendars, but it certainly holds great importance for our younger generations. For years, philosophers and environmentalists had stressed on the importance of a green and healthy planet. “We make the world we live in and shape our own Environment” (Orison Swett Marden). The more important question is do we take it seriously? No, we don’t! Unfortunately, it is our kids who are likely to follow the consequences of our actions in future.
Why is it Important to Teach Kids About the Environment?
At schools, the study of planet and environment is inextricably restricted to the knowledge of environmental problems, climate change and natural disasters. Out of these, natural disasters are a common topic of discussion in every household, which often arises due to catastrophic news reports displayed in the media. The point is that topics like earthquake, floods and drought are not just disturbing, but complex to understand. Also, they can invoke negative feelings like fear, sadness, confusion and anger in younger minds.
There are high possibilities that our kids are aware of natural disasters and climate change. Nevertheless, only a handful of them are aware of the underlying factors and the extent of damage they can cause, which is why it’s difficult for kids to deal with such catastrophic conditions or appreciate the natural resources that our earth currently has.
How can We Make them More Perspective towards the Outside World?
Teaching children about the planet is a nice thing to do. Being open-minded, creative and naturally curious, kids are conscious about the outside world. This step can bring them closer to wild, urban and rural societies and they can bond with nature in a better way.
Kids are receptive and quick to grasp problems. They posses great energy and enthusiasm that can help them find the logic, which is beyond the understanding of an average adult. Kids are more responsible and dedicated, when it comes to managing their own possessions.
The greatest thing about environment is that nature is self-healing. There may be a lot of problems, but the solutions are equally diverse and simple. Thus, we can trust kids with finding solutions to most environmental problems. Bringing them close to nature helps nurture their creativity and strikes a sense of responsibility in them.
World Environment Day provides the best start to this continuous learning process.
5 Ways in Which you Can Teach Your Kids about World Environment Day
- Travel
There’s a reason why people are crazy about travelling. The adults say it right “Don’t believe everything that they say or make you read. Go ahead and see for yourself”. When in doubt, you should always travel! Strike down Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai etc. from your travel list. Make your kids visit natural wonders, such as Munsiari, Jaisalmer, Kutch, Nilgiri, Sunderbans, Solan etc. where they can gain first-hand experience of natural landscapes.
- Documentaries
They’re short, precise and full of factual information. Netflix and YouTube are packed with documentaries that can change the way your kids interact with the nature. Some good examples are—
- The 11th Hour: Hollywood sensation Leonardo Di Caperio’s quest for climate problems is paired with practical solutions and hard science.
- An Inconvenient Truth: Al Gore’s Nobel Peace Prize winning lecture film focuses on a whole genre of nature problems and suggests solutions to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- The Gleaner’s Kitchen: Learn the secrets of ‘dumpster diving’. The documentary highlights the struggle of an underground restaurant that raids the dumpsters behind grocery stores with the idea to turn waste into wealth.
- Comics
Colorful comics are things that every kid enjoys. Rather than filling their minds with fanciful, non-existent garbage, introduce them to healthy options.
- Green Humor: Rohan Chakravarty’s creation has over 250 funny illustrations about India’s wildlife, environmental concerns and conservation measures.
- Grassroot Comics: An initiative by the World Comics India, GC makes an attempt to generate awareness on social and environment issues.
- Group Activities & Competitions
Schools and local societies can organize group activities such as field trips (to fields/ dumpsters/ outskirts/ plastic manufacturing factories), poster making competitions, poem writing, story narration and other group activities that allow sharing of ideas between the kids. This way, you can encourage them to think beyond their realm and promote their ideas in public.
- Sign them Up for a Noble Cause
Many NGOs, media houses and private groups organize public events, such as mass tree plantation, cleaning of public places, volunteering in animal shelters so that kids get a chance to value different elements of nature. Use this opportunity to expose them to environment problems and give them the opportunity to contribute their bit. This will certainly make them feel more responsible.
So, these were some practical ways in which you can facilitate better learning about the environment. Always remember that the key to greener planet lies in our hand. The biggest threat to our nature is the idea that someone else will save it. This world environment’s day, let us pledge that we will create a world with responsible caretakers in it so that environment doesn’t need protecting in future!
