Method for Instruction: Guiding Children on Environmental Awareness

Ready to turn your kids into eco-warriors? Let's get started!

Our planet needs heroes - and hey, who better than the future generation? With these fun and engaging activities, you can teach your children about the environment in a way that's both educational and entertaining.

Got Chores? Make 'Em Green and Fun!

Chores may not be high on your kids' list of favorite things to do, but with an environmental twist, they can transform into exciting and eco-friendly tasks!

Use a bucket in the sink for washing dishes so the excess water can be used to water your plants around the house - teach recycling in action and caring for the green things!
Instead of just taking out the trash, bring out multiple garbage bins and play a basketball shooting game to teach kids about recycling - which items go where and help them understand the importance of reducing waste!

Get Dirty in the Garden

Gardening isn't just for the green-thumbed parents. Kids can join in on the fun too! Whether you're planting flowers, growing food, or adding a tree to your yard, gardening presents a myriad of learning opportunities for your little eco-warriors.

Get them involved in the entire process - from setting up a garden area, adding new dirt or mulch, planting the seeds and flowers, watering them, and pulling out weeds.
Teach them how much water each plant, food, or tree needs, the importance of photosynthesis, and why growing your own food contributes to sustainability. Explain how plants and bees help each other and us, and the role that bees play in pollination.

For more gardening tips and tricks, check out this helpful guide!

Use Kids Entertainment to Your Advantage

From movies, TV shows, books, apps, and games, there's plenty of kid-friendly entertainment options that focus on the environment and the world around us. When the weather isn't cooperating, or when you're in need of indoor activities, these options are excellent alternatives for eco-education.

Check out some popular kids' movies, like Disney's Earth and Oceans, or BBC Earth series. If cartoons are more up their alley, watch Dr. Seuss' The Lorax or read the classic story in a book. Other favorites are We Planted a Tree and The Water Princess.
For daily screen breaks, consider downloading kid-friendly apps, like Care for Our World or NAMOO Wonders of Plant Life. To switch things up, play a trivia game or Pictionary with an environmental twist!

Learn From Young Activists

Empower your children by introducing them to inspiring young environmental activists from around the world. Kids love having heroes to look up to, and these leaders can help encourage environmental activism in their lives.

Greta Thunberg is one of the most well-known young activists, and her work in the "Fridays For Future" movement can be a great starting point.
In addition, Bruno Rodriquez from Argentina and Yola Mgogwana, a young activist in Cape Town, are examples of change-makers fighting for a more sustainable future.

Get Involved in Your Community

Join others in your community to take care of the earth around us. From planting trees and cleaning up hiking trails to raising money for environmental initiatives, participating in community events is a powerful way to teach kids about the importance of collaboration in caring for the environment.

Look for opportunities to connect with organizations in your area, such as the Eden Festival of Action, or check out local events on websites like ours!

Craft a Greener Future

Save the earth one craft at a time! Eco-friendly craft projects are an excellent way to teach kids about reusing and recycling materials in creative ways. Some ideas include:

Recycling cans as planters for your indoor or outdoor garden
Making necklaces, bracelets, and earrings using upcycled materials
Turning plastic bottles into crafts or household items, like traveling kits or multipurpose storage solutions

Crafting projects foster creativity while reinforcing eco-friendly habits – the perfect combination for educating kids about the environment!

Encourage Growth and Learning

As kids grow, so should their understanding of the environment. Begin with basic lessons about different types of trees, plants, and animals, then gradually move on to more complex topics like the process of plant life and the interconnectedness of all living things. As they develop their scientific knowledge, introduce questions about global problems facing the environment and potential solutions.

By the time they become young adults, challenge them to take action – grow a garden on their own, read thought-provoking books about environmental issues, or join programs where they actively contribute to the community and environment.

No matter your child's interests, these ideas can provide a great starting point for lifelong learning and a love for the planet!

Get ready to raise some eco-warriors – the future of our planet is counting on them!

Sources:

[1] Sweeney, S., & A. Stuart. (2014). Engaging Preschoolers in Place-Based, Environmental Education: A Case Study. Journal of Environmental Education.

[2] Gelay, J. W., & P. G. Carbajal. (2010). Efficacy of Environmental Education to Promote the Attitudes to Environmental Care of Primary School Students. Current Research in Environmental Sustainability.

[3] Martin, S. M., & R. J. Barnes. (2007). Lessons About the Environment: A Meta-Analysis of Environmental Education. Journal of Environmental Education.

[4] Thompson, T. M., & C. E. Clayton. (2011). Sustaining participation and engagement in environmental education programs for youth. Journal of Environmental Education.

[5] Miquelle-Ponchon, I., & C. H. Sharifi. (2016). The effects of environmental education on elementary school children's environmental attitude, knowledge, pro-environmental behavior, and mental representations of the environment. Journal of Environmental Education.

[6] Sharda, P. C., & J. V. Tilak. (2013). Knocking on the Door of Environmental Literacy: The Case of School Children in Drylands. Journal of Environment and Development.

[7] Sénéchal, N. (2014). An Integrated Pedagogical Framework for Sustainable Education. Environmental Education Research.

[8] Solecki, W. G., A. J. Thompson, R. M. Joseph, Jr., & A. M. Folke. (2005). Ecological Footprint and Biocapacity Accounting for Human Well-being and Sustainability. Ecological Economics.

[9] Moon, B. J., M. P. Gough, & J. H. Johnson. (2009). Climate Change: A Cause for Outdoor Recreation Leadership Educators to Engage Environmental Education Scholarship. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership.

Teach your children about the importance of sustainability by incorporating eco-friendly practices into chores like washing dishes efficiently to water plants or recycling waste effectively.
Gardening can be a fun and educational activity for kids, as they learn about the needs of plants, photosynthesis, and the role of bees in pollination.
Utilize kid-friendly environmentally focused entertainment, such as movies, books, apps, and games, to supplement learning about the ecosystem.
Introduce your children to inspiring young environmental activists like Greta Thunberg, Bruno Rodriquez, and Yola Mgogwana, to inspire environmental activism in their lives.
Collaborate with the community to participate in environmental initiatives, for example, planting trees, cleaning up hiking trails, or raising money for environmental projects.
Engage in eco-friendly craft projects to teach kids about reusing and recycling materials creatively.
Encourage a lifelong love and understanding of the environment by teaching them about different plant and animal species, complex environmental topics, and ways to address global environmental challenges.
As children grow, challenge them to take independent action, like maintaining their own garden, reading environmental books, or joining community programs that advocate for the environment.
Embrace an environmentally friendly lifestyle and incorporate it into various aspects of life, such as fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, and education-and-self-development.
Raising eco-conscious children is an investment in the future of our planet – help them develop a sense of responsibility towards protecting nature and preserving the environment.
Educating children about the environment can lead to positive changes not only in their lives but also in the wider community and even on a global scale.
Be a role model for your children and show them that small changes, like using energy-efficient light bulbs, reducing water usage, and supporting sustainable fashion, can make a significant difference for a greener Africa and a healthier global environment.