Every year on the first Sunday of May, we celebrate Earth Day and millions join with environmentalists to call attention to the need to conserve our natural resources. This Earth Day is a time to spread the message to as many people as possible and to renew our call to action for change. In fact, many prominent politicians have made it a major cause custer this year.
The goal of Earth Day is to bring together people from all walks of life to focus on what they can do to help the world. Many children participate in Earth Day activities. Many schools host science lesson plans and other children take part in various community events. All of these efforts seek to bring the educational spirit of Earth Day into the lives of children everywhere.
Teachers often encourage the use of hands-on activities during Earth Day to both stimulate thought and to get children interacting with one another. Activities may include nature walks or hikes, which are great ways for preschoolers and younger children to learn about the environment. They can also explore nature by playing in and around their own gardens.
As children get older, they are more likely to appreciate nature. Since many pre-school and school age children have never been exposed to the outdoors, they find Earth Day an interesting chance to experience it firsthand. One activity that many teachers incorporate into their classes is the planting of flower seeds in the soil. This not only provides children with an eye towards the environment but also provides them with a chance to plant flowers that will bloom throughout the year.
It is important for parents to support their children's Earth Day activities. It is an opportunity for them to let their children know that they are making a difference. Many public parks are taking part in their programs so that children can gather and plant trees. At the same time, many parents encourage their children to embrace nature through the sport of dodge ball or sports such as basketball.
Teachers and parents need to be sure that their actions are doing more than provide visual stimulation for their children. They need to think of their actions as being part of an important educational process. Nature is being made and children are learning by having exposure to it. If it were up to us, nature wouldn't just exist – we would observe it and allow our children to enjoy it too. Now it is up to us to see that our children do experience this vital educational process – and that they enjoy it.
