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Teaching Kids About Nature

Teaching Kids About Nature

May 20, 20131406Views1Comment

No child is too young to appreciate the marvels of nature, and parents have a unique ability to instill lifelong habits that may forever determine their children’s approach to the natural world. You don’t have to be a parent to actively participate in kids’ education about nature, you only have to impart the knowledge and principles that were passed on to you as a youngster. When teaching kids about nature, consider just five key themes that all ages will be able to comprehend.

Wild places inspire reverence.

Kids don’t need acres and acres of virgin woodlands to feel a sense of awe about their environments. Backyards, parks and nature trails are teeming with life, and interested parents know where to stop and look. Each tree leaf, bird’s egg, butterfly’s wing or spider’s web has a distinctive color, texture or pattern worthy of closer observation.

Everything has a function and a place.

Younger children may not grasp the intricacies of ecosystems, biomes or food chains, but most kids can relate to the concept of a puzzle. Use this example to illustrate the value of interconnected parts, helping children recognize that the removal of even one piece undermines the performance of the whole.

Children running to tent feature
Photo from Mattias Helge/Unsplash

Observation is the best form of appreciation.

The wonders of nature are at their most wondrous when they’re left as they are. This is especially true of baby animals; children often have an immediate desire to nurture, protect, and domesticate. Help youngsters understand that wild animals will always be wild animals, and the animal kingdom already has built-in processes in place to ensure species survival.

Individual actions have a direct impact on the health of the environment.

Infants can’t be expected to anticipate the ramifications of their own actions, but toddlers and older children are perfectly capable of interpreting the consequences of their deeds. Start a basic dialogue about the implications of litter or pollution.

Humans are not exempt from this incredible web of life.

Conscientious consumers understand that natural resources are finite commodities, and those who feel kinship with the natural world know that environmental health and human well-being are inextricably linked. Give children a sense of belonging by reinforcing the notion that they’re part of this great network; it’s a lesson they’ll use, reuse, and share for the rest of their lives.

Featured Image from Caleb Jones/Unsplash