By Josh Cox
The world is changing, and the environment is in jeopardy. Conservationists are saying that time is running out on our natural resources; plants and animals everywhere are at risk of extinction, species continue to become extinct every day, and most of us have forgotten how to live like we once did.
Teaching conservation to kids is essential, but many people don’t know what this entails and what conservation means. To teach children about the world around them, you need to explain basic concepts like conservation and how different habitats work.
Responsibility
Children are very impressionable, don’t have much life experience to draw from, and their brains are like sponges. They can absorb information very quickly, but will it stick? We need to give them the knowledge and resources that will aid them in making more intelligent decisions. By showing kids how nature works and how we can all do our part in preserving it for future generations, we teach them that their actions affect more than just themselves.
Real-Life Problems
Kids learn best through hands-on activities, which also applies to conservation education. By teaching them about plants by growing them in a school garden, they will have more practical and real-world applications than just learning the names of plants. They will learn how nature works and start to see the world as it is, not as something that can be reduced to a single tree or animal species.
Growing the Future
We must learn how to live sustainably to ensure that the next generations will have the resources to survive. How will our children know where to turn if they cannot relate to their environment? By teaching them how nature works and how we can all do our part in preserving it for future generations, we teach them that their actions affect more than just themselves.
Reaching Beyond Their Grade
Most kids try to fit in with their peer group, and by bringing out the conservationist in them, we are helping them thrive and reach greater heights than they may have expected. We need more kids interested in reading about the environment, and conservation education would be a great way to start making this happen. Kids can learn a lot through books, but by taking it to the next level and relating it to real-life problems, our kids will be able to make smarter sustainable decisions.
Their Personal Goals
Kids learn best through hands-on activities and don’t want to sit in a classroom and be lectured. Through conservation education, kids get to choose what activities they would like to take part in, and by getting them involved in learning about conservation, we are allowing their true passions for nature to shine through. This will enable them to use these passions as a stepping stone for their personal growth and development, with the bonus of reducing species extinction in our environment.
Our Generation’s Legacy
As a species, we need to ensure that our children will have the resources they need, and this can only be done by having a healthy ecosystem that we can all survive within. By teaching kids how nature works and how we can all do our part in preserving it for future generations, we teach them that their actions affect more than just themselves. If they learn how to maintain it now by understanding the difference between right and wrong, they will also be able to pass these values on to their children.
Sustainability
We are not trying to change how children view the world, and we want them to see the world they live in. We want to make sure that they look at it with a more open mind and understanding of how our actions affect more than just ourselves. Kids learn best through hands-on activities, so by teaching them about plants which are grown in a school garden, they will have better practical and real-world applications than just learning the names of plants.
We need to use this time wisely and ensure that we leave a legacy for our children’s generation. We need to instil in them the value of sustainability early, so they can apply what they learn when they become adults. By teaching kids how nature works and how we can all do our part in preserving it for future generations, we teach them that their actions affect more than just themselves.
Josh Cox started Reptile Encounters because he wanted to give kids and adults the chance to connect with nature. He believes that people need to have that ‘inspire’ moment to be able to make the connection for themselves. By meeting animals in the flesh, we engender a respect for our environment and equip students to make a difference. At Reptile Encounters, their mission is to be the voice for those that don’t have one. Their up-close wildlife experiences create lasting memories and inspire students to take an interest in the natural world. Whether it is a primary or secondary school visit, birthday party or a corporate day, Reptile Encounters caters for all ages. Their goal is to create a generation of better humans.