Teaching kids about the environment doesn’t have to be boring. Zac de Silva has some hot tips on how to teach kids about the environment.
It’s no secret our planet is facing some pretty intimidating issues. Last summer was a testament to that, as nearly three billion animals were killed or displaced by bushfires that spread across 5.3 million hectares. And the reality is that the kids of today – the leaders of tomorrow – are the ones who will need to deal with this, so it’s important that they’re brought up to value the natural world.
But, particularly with younger kids, it’s equally important to avoid overwhelming them. Ecophobia is a phenomenon that has come to the fore recently, a feeling of hopelessness that people – particularly young people – feel about climate change. A number of recent studies have found that confronting children with all the facts about our planet’s sorry state can actually be counterproductive. Rather, we should be getting them out in nature to enjoy it and appreciate it. So with that in mind, here are some ways to get your kids thinking about the environment.
A super-simple way to introduce your kids to recycling is to get them to help sort recyclables and non-recyclables. Get them to look out for the Australasian Recycling Label on plastic packaging, and think about what kinds of products might be recyclable, and what ones aren’t. By getting them to actively engage in this process, you’ll be encouraging them to think about the long-term impacts of what they buy.
This is a great way to get kids out into the environment and making a difference. Given that large-scale events are temporarily on hold this year, the team behind Clean Up Australia are running a PLOG-A-THON. What is that, you may ask? Plogging is a combination of ‘jog’ and the Swedish word for ‘pick up’ (plocka upp, for any aspiring linguists out there) and involves going on a run (or walk) and picking up rubbish along the way. A positive experience like this shows kids that their small actions can make a real difference.
The great thing is these days you don’t need to be a boffin to get involved in scientific research thanks to citizen science programs. These are usually free and can be done from home without any expertise. With a little bit of training (which is usually pretty straightforward) you’ll be doing valuable work for scientists and teaching your kids about the intricacies of the natural world at the same time. One popular program right now is Wildlife Spotter, run by the Australian Museum and The Atlas of Living Australia, where volunteers sort through camera trap photos to identify native species. The best thing? There’s no commitment: you can do as much or as little as you’d like.
In Australia we’re blessed with huge expanses of bushland, so jump in the car (or even on a bike!) and head to your local national park. You don’t need to go on a huge expedition either: even a quick half-hour stroll is good, as long as you do it regularly (going either fortnightly or monthly is a good place to start). Get your child to just stop and immerse themselves. Ask them what they can hear. Talk about what they can smell. Look for local wildlife.
Where: The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
Tucked away in the heart of Sydney, the Royal Botanic Garden is a nature-lover’s paradise. Regular Aboriginal heritage tours introduce guests of all ages to the history and culture of the Sydney area’s Cadigal people, as well as their use of local plants.
Where: Australia Zoo, Sunshine Coast
Pretty much any zoo in the country will have a similar program, but we love Australia Zoo’s Khaki Discovery Program for their richness and variety. There’s no better way to learn to value our unique wildlife than by getting up close and personal!
Where: Blue Mountains National Park, Sydney
Based out of Blackheath, this practical program sees NSW National Parks rangers teach kids aged eight to 12 basic bush skills. There’s a range of different workshops including orienteering, cultural appreciation and building improvised shelters.
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