All social beings including children are dependent on Mother Nature for survival. As we grow up, we educate ourselves with time about our surroundings and environment. However, due to recent environment awareness that has been created, we have learnt to respect nature for what it has to offer us. This sense of respect stems from all the issues humans and animals are facing due to environmental issues that have been cropping up lately. Therefore, it is crucial to educate our children about our environment and surroundings before it is too late.
As the fate of the planet lies in the generations to come, it is only appropriate to prioritise teaching the young minds to be resourceful and wise to protect their environment and practice sustainability. Hence, schools and educational institutions must create an awareness on environmental issues among kids and teach them the path that one must follow daily for a brighter planet. Some of the ways through which this can be achieved are:
- Raising awareness about climate change in kids- Climate change is a burning issue today. Therefore, kids must be educated about the dangers and consequences of an unhealthy way of life that damages our Earth leading to unwanted changes in the climate. They must also be informed about global warming so that they learn to take steps when they grow up to help in the cause of restoring nature’s balance.
- Encourage kids to play outdoors- In today’s digital age, children are completely trapped by the internet so much so that they are reluctant to enjoy the outdoors. Children should be encouraged to play outdoors, as this would provide them with an opportunity to understand and be more environment sensitive. Additionally, it would help in their growth and well-being.
- Teach them gardening- Every child must be inspired to plant saplings and nurture them with daily care. The joy of seeing their plant growing will develop a bonding towards plants and nature. It will further motivate them to spread their enthusiasm and actions to other kids.
- Teach them the ‘3Rs’- Kids must be taught to practice and understand the importance of the 3Rs i.e., ‘Reuse- Reduce- Recycle’ mantra in their daily lives.
- Educate them on proper disposal of waste- Waste disposal management should be taught in both schools and at homes. Kids learn from elders; therefore, it is indeed important for us to practice the same.
- Educate them on wastage- Children have impressionable minds and as such should be taught at a very young age on the importance of wastage. They should know that what they waste can result in deprivation to another child. Education on wastage is at multi levels and children must understand what one should value right from their childhood.
- Motivate them to practice proper water management- Water is an important natural resource that requires immediate attention. It is most important to teach children the different ways of saving water for their future.
- Switch to reusable materials- Children should be motivated to carry jute bags, copper bottles, cotton cloth napkins, steel/glass boxes instead of plastics and synthetics.
Young minds of our country should be trained to live consciously without harming any living / natural resource. This training must not be confined to four walls within a classroom. Instead, they should be encouraged to interact, develop and engage with the outer world around them. This gives them an opportunity to decide how important it is to live in a healthy environment filled with bright shades of green, brown and blue, our Mother Nature.
We at The Child Foundation want to focus on encouraging children to be more environment friendly by conducting the above-mentioned activities. We believe that a child’s mind is like clay and can be moulded in the best interest of the child.