How To Teach Young Learners About Issues Like Climate Change
Reading from a textbook in order to Teach Young Learners About Issues Like Climate Change probably won’t be as impactful compare to other methods. Kids need to learn and understand more about climate change as a fact that will determine their future, but it’s also a complex issue that may be difficult to digest at such an early age.
How do you explain to kids that animals are dying from swallowing too much plastic, or that large corporations are causing deforestation as well as greenhouse gas emissions that threaten life on earth?.
How To Teach Young Learners About Issues Like Climate Change
Here are some common and effective ways that parents and teachers can teach young students about climate change:
Introduce them to youth activists
Young climate change activists are planning to target the Science Museum in an attempt to force it to sever its ties with major oil companies which sponsor some of its most high profile exhibitions.
It is a proven fact that kids learn better and model behaviour when they see other kids their age engaging in certain activities. Introducing them to people like Greta Thunberg or youth organisations that are making a real difference can inspire them to learn from their efforts or pique their interest on the subject. They can also learn about the school strikes and protests led by school-going children as well as the implications behind them. Look for a place in your community such as an environmental youth groups or clubs where students can take part in activities or even attend a workshop.
Show them videos about climate change
If you are having a hard time explaining to your students what climate change is all about, then try by showing them an educational video which is targeted towards kids, it is a great wat for them to learn.
Lead by example
Just like so many other important life lessons and skills, kids learn best when you lead by example. Practising eco-friendly habits in the home, like recycling, reusing and reducing single-use plastic by bringing your own containers, will rub off on them, too.
Teachers can also led by example in the school, by separating waste in classrooms and cafeterias, planting trees, advising students to turn off lights and air-conditioning when they are not in use and so many others.
Parents can actually walk their children to school or carpool and explaining the impact of air pollution caused by cars. Discuss the benefits of these activities so that children can understand the importance of climate change awareness, which is beneficial for building a long-term habits.
Teach them the right facts
Climate change awareness can be a very controversial issue and there’s plenty of “fake news” and faux studies that examine the impact of climate change. Ensure you’re educating them on the real facts by making sure that your sources are validated as well as backed by real scientific evidence.
If someone convince your child that climate change doesn’t really exist (unfortunately, most adults still believe this), this is a great articles that proves your case. Keep steering them towards more positive aspects on climate change awareness, such as real life success stories and green practices, instead of showing them videos or photos that could be traumatising for young children.
