avatarS M Mamunur Rahman

Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of fostering a connection between children and the natural world to create an environmentally conscious future generation.

Abstract

The article "Get Your Kids Closer To the Natural World" addresses the growing disconnect between children and nature, highlighting the alarming trend of kids being more engaged with technology than with the outdoors. It suggests that to secure a sustainable future, parents and guardians must actively encourage children to develop a relationship with nature. The author proposes several practical steps to achieve this, including spending time in nature without electronic devices, engaging children in gardening, visiting local farms, teaching recycling and composting, providing books on nature and sustainability, watching environmental documentaries together, and setting an example by adopting eco-friendly habits. The article underscores that by making small changes and prioritizing environmental education, adults can inspire children to become environmentally aware and responsible.

Opinions

  • The author believes that the current lack of interaction between children and nature is detrimental to the future of the planet.
  • It is insufficient to rely solely on summer camping a few days a year to build a child's relationship with nature; consistent and varied activities are necessary.
  • The article suggests that quality time spent in nature with children can be more valuable than material gifts or constant technological engagement.
  • Gardening is seen as a powerful educational tool for teaching children about the life cycle, responsibility, and the interconnectedness of living things.
  • Visiting local farms is recommended to provide children with a practical understanding of where food comes from and to instill a sense of gratitude for agricultural processes.
  • The author advocates for teaching children about recycling and composting to foster a hands-on approach to waste management and sustainability.
  • Reading books and watching documentaries about nature and the environment are considered effective ways to expand children's knowledge and appreciation of the natural world.
  • The author emphasizes the importance of adults leading by example, suggesting that children learn eco-friendly behaviors through observation and imitation.
  • The article calls for immediate action to correct the mistakes of past environmental neglect by educating and empowering the next generation to live sustainably.

Get Your Kids Closer To the Natural World

Make an environment-conscious future generation.

Image created by the author using Canva

Today’s children are tomorrow’s future. But sadly, the future doesn’t seem very bright. Why? Because nowadays, kids have almost no relationship with the natural world.

All they care about is their smartphones, tabs, computers, and social media profiles. And the shocking reality is we hardly encourage them to get closer to the natural world around them.

In our mad pursuit of ruining everything, we think it’s okay for kids not to have a relationship with nature. We think if they study hard, keep pace with the tech-driven world, and earn more money in the future, everything will be okay. So, our kids are growing without any real connection with the natural world. They have no idea of the miracles going on around them in every moment. And it’s really alarming.

Well, if you are wondering! No, only a few days of summer camping a year is not enough to get your kids closer to nature. There are a lot more things to do.

In this post, I will talk about a few ways that can help your kids build a good relationship with nature.

Let’s begin!

Take your kids to nature and spend time without electronic gadgets

Yes, you can be a very busy guy who has no time for kids. But aren’t you working your ass off to secure your children’s future? If so, then spend quality time with your kids outside.

Go to the park, sit down with them beside a lake, spend time listening to the music of nature — birds, bees, winds. And for god’s sake, turn off all your electronic gadgets. Give them a break!

If you cannot do that every weekend, it’s okay — do that at least twice a month. Spend a couple of afternoons or days exploring the mud, birds, trees, flowers, and help your kids learn from the school of nature.

Engage them in making and maintaining your garden

Do you have a backyard garden? Do your kids work there? Well, a garden is an excellent place to teach your kids about soil, plants, insects, etc.

Encourage your little ones to work with you and plant saplings. Teach them how to prepare the soil, plant the seed, and take care of the them every day.

Give a small land to your kids and allow them to have fun with the soil. When they will see the plants growing, I bet they will be happier than ever before and become a plants lover.

Take them to local farms

Visiting local farms can enhance your kid’s understanding of plants and foods. They will have practical knowledge of exactly how the foods are grown and from where they come to your kitchen. It will teach them not to take food for granted.

Visiting local farms is also a great source of joy for kids. They get to know new things with curiosity and enthusiasm. So, you should take your kids to visit local farms at least once a month.

Teach them about recycling and composting

It’s very important that for your kids to learn how to deal with their daily waste. Teach them how they can transform their waste into fertilizer by composting and use it in the garden. Also, show them how to recycle things and then use that for a long time.

Lead by examples. Avoid single-use plastics, disposable cups, and recycle whenever possible.

If you do so, your kids will learn the same things from you and grow as conscious human beings. And in the future, they will inspire other people as well.

Buy them books on nature, environment, and sustainable living

Why not introduce your kids to wonderful books that talk about nature, the environment, and sustainable living! Buy them amazing books that unveil the wonderful world of wildlife, birds, trees, oceans, mountains, and more.

There are many wonderful environmental books for your kids. Well, I am going to mention a few of them for you. Here you go —

  • Bee & Me by Alison Jay
  • 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World by Melanie Walsh
  • The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry
  • Compost Stew by Mary McKenna Siddals
  • Just a Dream by Chris Van Allsburg
  • One Plastic Bag by Miranda Paul
  • Frontlines: Stories of Global Environmental Justice by Nick Meynen
  • No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg
  • The No-Nonsense Guide to Climate Change by Danny Chivers

There are hundreds of great books on the environment, climate change, and sustainable living for your kids. Buy them at least a few so that they can explore a whole new world full of wonder and beauty.

Watch environmental documentaries with them

One of the great ways to get your kids closer to the environment is to open up the wonders of the natural world in front of them. And good environmental documentaries do exactly the same.

There are so many wonderful documentaries about the environment that are ready to give your kids an experience of a lifetime. Our Planet, One Hour of Amazing Ocean Moments, Tales by Light, Tiny Creatures, Night on Earth, The Wonderful World of Birds, are a few of them.

There are also amazing TV channels like National Geographic and Animal Planet. If you want your kids to watch environmental stuff, the opportunity is endless.

Teach them to be aware of the resources and make little changes

Your kids see you as a role model and they follow what you do. So, be sensible in your day-to-day life.

Save energy, water, and other resources you have. Do not waste a thing. Do not throw rubbish here and there. Try to avoid single-use plastics. Above all, speak for the environment, climate change, and sustainable living.

When you will introduce these little changes in your life, your kids will automatically follow you and grow as wonderful human beings. So, before taking any action, think about the environment and your kid’s future — then, act accordingly.

As I said you are your kid’s first teacher and role model, you must give your kids proper education about the nature, environment, climate change, and sustainable living.

We have already made our lives miserable with our mad pursuit of money and wealth. So, it’s the time we need to fix the mistakes we’ve already done by creating a sensible, environment-conscious future generation.

Thank you for reading.

Read the following articles about the environment and wildlife and take action to save the planet.

You can also inspire others to experience the beauty of this lovely planet. Just click the below image and be a writer for The Environment

Climage Change
Environment
Sustainability
Nature
Awareness
Recommended from ReadMedium