Writer's Block: Teaching Kids about Their Little Carbon Footprint
Water conservation. Growing a garden, even in container pots. Allowing pets, beyond the cat and dog, although this is a good place to start. For those that are more wild, collecting indiginous species to be learned about and studied and then released healthy into the wild after two weeks maximum. Taking them for walks along wetlands, prairies or woodlands (even those in urban areas) and telling them the names of the plants and what the use is for those, this connects the plants to the person in their minds. Makes it a part of their history. And finally, children should be allowed to care for animals. Zoo programs can incorporate kids in the feeding and learning about animals as can wildlife refuge centers.
Agriculture also has a lot to contribute to the learning of taking care of animals and where food comes from. I remember field trips to a farm even in preschool and watching people hand milk as well as machine milk a cow. It was a good experience. And then figuring out how to translate that to workable urban solutions. Bringing nature into the city, done with care, creativity and good planning should inspire and create things of beauty and awe for generations to come.
Kids as young as 4, 5 and 6 years old can help mix feed, and watch safely. Adult supervision is a must. For information to the success of bringing kids in proximity to animals, read "All creatures great and Small" series. James Herriot brought his kids with him to his practice with fairly good result.
Regards,
Roadscholar
Agriculture also has a lot to contribute to the learning of taking care of animals and where food comes from. I remember field trips to a farm even in preschool and watching people hand milk as well as machine milk a cow. It was a good experience. And then figuring out how to translate that to workable urban solutions. Bringing nature into the city, done with care, creativity and good planning should inspire and create things of beauty and awe for generations to come.
Kids as young as 4, 5 and 6 years old can help mix feed, and watch safely. Adult supervision is a must. For information to the success of bringing kids in proximity to animals, read "All creatures great and Small" series. James Herriot brought his kids with him to his practice with fairly good result.
Regards,
Roadscholar