Raising EcoConscious Kids : Nurturing a Connection to Mother Earth

As adults we already know about recycling and toxic waste, we are taught to pick up the trash that has fallen outside the bin and to try to use the fan instead of the AC on hot days. But how did we begin to understand that? Most adults today are in tune with the climate crises and how they can individually help Mother Earth, that is because in later years of their lives, climate change became climate crisis, so they had to adapt to a new reality where their every action mattered. However, that is not the case for younger and future generations. They are born and raised into the climate crises and so they have to be in tune with earth's needs from a younger age. Seeing how some adults are not properly acting towards this crisis, our planet needs eco - conscious children who will become eco - conscious adults more than ever. If we want later generations to inherit a healthy earth, we must raise our children to care about the planet. How can we do that? 

First of all, we need to understand how nature is not only benefited by eco-conscious children and adults but also how it benefits them. Being around nature has a psychological impact on humans, such as lower chances of developing a mental health disorder, like anxiety and depression. It also helps with mood and sleep quality and teaches appreciation and love towards yourself and others as well as nature itself. Additionally, there is a physiological impact, as it helps with cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure, as well as building a strong immune system, especially for children, since they play more around nature.

To become an eco-conscious adult you have to know what you are trying to protect and why. Going in nature, connecting with it, and understanding its meaning to your life and others is important. If you care for nature, you'd naturally want to preserve and protect it. So parents trying to raise eco-conscious children need to make that connection happen. However, one should be aware of the proper way to raise awareness in a child about what they would be protecting nature from. There is a time and way to tell a child that their planet is dying because previous generations did not protect it. Eco anxiety is unfortunately real, and at a young age can have some serious determinants. So it is important to not only the side of nature that is dying but also the beautiful part and they can help heal.

There are many ways to nurture a true connection between children and nature. Kids tend to mimic the people in their lives, their parents, so they have to lead by example and be good role models for their children by caring for the environment. It is also very important to be around nature a lot. It is a fact that most families that live in cities have limited access to nature, but even as little as a walk in the park, or pointing out trees and flowers when walking to school can be beneficial. And for those that can afford it, a trip to the nearest nature point like a waterfall or forest can be all a kid needs to appreciate the beauty and importance of nature. Just being around it can have a significant effect on a child and help them foster a connection with Mother Earth. Also, even just touching and interacting with nature is a true gift and can make the process so much easier. Oftentimes, spending most of the day in the two-dimensional world that is technology, can be detrimental to a child. So a little off-screen time spent in nature can have serious effects on a kid's psyche. 

 Moreover, eco-friendly activities that have an impact on the planet should be taught from a young age. Specifically, the family should have implemented such actions already, and have the kid be a part of them and learn how they help the environment. Those can be recycling, composting, using more eco-friendly modes of transfer, saving energy, growing your food and many more. Finally, while parents are the first that should be accountable for a child's connection to Mother Earth, there is a significant amount of change the school can do. A school's responsibility would be to teach the younger generation the misdoings of the past but also show them how to focus on the future that they now can shape. Kids must learn about the scientific side of climate crises and ways to care about the environment from now on. Field trips to nature would also show them what books can’t and help build a stronger connection and conscience. 

To sum up, while it is in no way an easy process, raising eco-conscious children who have a strong connection to Mother Earth is vital for the health of the planet, but also the health of our children. If we want any change, we need to make changes ourselves. So even though something like this can be daunting, even little steps can have an effect if they are taken by more than one person.

Resources : https://youtu.be/z5oJLVMdju4?si=xYwdActvp6LJ9OBt

Article written by Aggeliki Rigalou