Our world is getting more and more complicated everyday. For the little ones this new fast-paced and ever more digital world can be daunting. When thinking about our environment it’s hard to come up ways to effectively teach kids about the world around us that doesn’t require being plugged in. What happens when you want to go outside and there isn’t a power plug nearby? What happens if the sun is down and the power goes out? The online world, while great for some things, has its limitations. Contrast that with the real world we live in which is made up of physical parts that are seemingly connected in almost unlimited ways. The emphasis should be on learning about our environment and web of life, not only on the world wide web.
One way to teach our children about life outside the TV and computer is to bring them somewhere so they can see what it’s really like. It sounds easy but in reality it’s very time consuming and may be more work than it’s worth. When was the last time you took your kid to a real working farm? I know, who has time to run around to all the possible places and which ones are most beneficial anyway? Another way to effectively teach your child about their environment is for them to experience it through the language of play. It has long been known that one of the most intensive approaches of instruction through intense interaction (play) which helps kids make sense of their environment at a level that is more understandable and compelling to them. It’s also more accessible for you as you can introduce many different concepts to them by getting them the right toy and teaching them how to play with it.
One way to teach our children about life outside the TV and computer is to bring them somewhere so they can see what it’s really like. It sounds easy but in reality it’s very time consuming and may be more work than it’s worth. When was the last time you took your kid to a real working farm? I know, who has time to run around to all the possible places and which ones are most beneficial anyway? Another way to effectively teach your child about their environment is for them to experience it through the language of play. It has long been known that one of the most intensive approaches of instruction through intense interaction (play) which helps kids make sense of their environment at a level that is more understandable and compelling to them. It’s also more accessible for you as you can introduce many different concepts to them by getting them the right toy and teaching them how to play with it.
By bringing home the right type of toy that educates while it entertains in ways many of today’s computer designed toys can’t puts you in a class of parent that thinks more critically about child rearing today. Under the play-as-learning mindset, toys are your tools for teaching. By selecting toys that are engaging, fun and educational, you can promote environmental awareness in your household without being inconvenienced. Here are some of the top fun and educational items that can help you in your mission:
1. Toy tractors and other “pretend” farm implements. Farm life can teach children a lot of valuable lessons, including the importance of hard work and diligence, the task of taking care of plants and animals, and the production of food. A toy tractor designed as the “real” thing will capture the interest and imagination of your kids, and can therefore be a great platform for structuring your lessons around this theme.
2. Books. Stories and storytelling have long been proven to be an effective teaching strategy. By reading aloud stories that support your beliefs and discussing them with your small children, you’re not only instilling earth-awareness values, but also creating a healthy habit that encourages critical and creative thinking.
3. Garden kits. Planting and maintaining a garden, regardless of whether it’s a huge patch of land or just a little potted corner in your balcony, is the best way to help your kids connect with nature. Gardening can teach them how food is produced; it’s also a great hands-on platform for teaching scientific and environmental concepts.
4. Recycled/found things. Want to teach your kids about sustainable living? Teach them how to make their own toys through recycling. Look for arts and crafts projects using found and recycled items and go DIY with your kids. It’s a fun way to spend quality time together, and an inexpensive idea of filling your lives with beautiful and useful objects that your children can proudly say that they’ve made with their own hands.
1. Toy tractors and other “pretend” farm implements. Farm life can teach children a lot of valuable lessons, including the importance of hard work and diligence, the task of taking care of plants and animals, and the production of food. A toy tractor designed as the “real” thing will capture the interest and imagination of your kids, and can therefore be a great platform for structuring your lessons around this theme.
2. Books. Stories and storytelling have long been proven to be an effective teaching strategy. By reading aloud stories that support your beliefs and discussing them with your small children, you’re not only instilling earth-awareness values, but also creating a healthy habit that encourages critical and creative thinking.
3. Garden kits. Planting and maintaining a garden, regardless of whether it’s a huge patch of land or just a little potted corner in your balcony, is the best way to help your kids connect with nature. Gardening can teach them how food is produced; it’s also a great hands-on platform for teaching scientific and environmental concepts.
4. Recycled/found things. Want to teach your kids about sustainable living? Teach them how to make their own toys through recycling. Look for arts and crafts projects using found and recycled items and go DIY with your kids. It’s a fun way to spend quality time together, and an inexpensive idea of filling your lives with beautiful and useful objects that your children can proudly say that they’ve made with their own hands.
