4 minute read
Generation green
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Young children can be taught about climate change and its impact without instilling fear, explains ROSE HARDY, Headmistress at Haberdashers’ Girls’ School, Hertfordshire
Even though younger children are less likely to read or watch the news, many will be aware of climate change and how it is impacting our planet. Our children are future global citizens and observers of the modern world. From the earliest days we have taught even the youngest children about the weather, about the impact of the natural world with storms, fire and floods. They have learned about the extinction of species, about recycling campaigns, sustainability and even the impact of what we eat. Climate change is all around, and whether we realise it or not, even our younger children are affected by it.
Climate change is very accessible to children today. Over the last decade or so, the environmental agenda has become a curriculum staple in our prep schools; and rightly so. We’re educating the future generations of society and is important that they are aware of the potential challenges our aging planet faces as a result of how we live.
Over-consumption of climate education
Most schools are openly playing up climate action, with eco campaigns and eco clubs becoming the norm within prep school communities today. Yet over-consumption of the environmental agenda also brings with it a darker reality. Climate anxiety is growing among young children as well as teenagers and there’s a palpable sense of apprehension, burden and worries about what the future will look like.
In a similar way that politicians and the media during the 1980s s
ENLIGHTENMENT AND EMPOWERMENT
Sharing experiences: Inviting inspirational speakers into school, such as teenagers who are making a difference to climate change, can be very useful in sharing positive experiences that are focused on giving back rather than on a sense of impending doom. Age-appropriate: We must consider the age group we’re educating and adapt accordingly. For younger children, fears are more related to things they can readily grasp such as physical safety or animal extinction, so stick to what is relevant and to subject matter that is easy to digest. Accept and acknowledge: For parents, it is important not to brush off the impact of climate change. Many of us grew up in a different generation but we must acknowledge our children’s worries and reassure them about the future. Support and recognise: The climate agenda is vast so whether your child wants to go vegan to support the environment, collect rain water, save energy or take responsibility for the family’s recycling at home, support and recognise the importance of these acts. Self-educate: Our children will hopefully be the last generation to suffer, but these things matter and, in many cases, to fully understand and participate in meaningful conversations with the young, we must continually re-educate ourselves too. fuelled children’s fears with the prospect of nuclear oblivion, the same sense of panic and fear around individual safety that stems from predictions of a future of uncertainty and destruction, are consuming many children’s minds today. The question is how can we retain the importance of climate change without resorting to fear, scare mongering and negativity? Climate education needs to be inspiring and positive in tone, especially for younger children who are easily scared. As prep schools, we need to look to channel any anxieties into actions that are empowering and encouraging.
Young children are naturally drawn to environmental clubs and campaigns that are focused on helping the planet. There’s a big appetite out there for creating a better, safer world, and as educators we need to capitalise on that positivity. Sadly, there are enough mental health issues within our younger generations today and feeding a culture of nihilism could lead to destructive behaviours in the future that could manifest in negative ways.
Avoiding the ‘damage is done’ approach is vital
Taking ‘the damage is done’ approach is likely to lead to conclusions that there’s no point in trying. Again, this comes back to how we communicate the impact of climate change to our young children. We must continue to push the importance for change, but in a way that is light-hearted, age-appropriate and supportive.
There are other ways to strengthen climate education too. There’s a post-Covid-19 curriculum agenda in play, one that uses the last 18 months to educate children on important topics such as, what is a sustainable way to spend money? How can we live more sustainably at home and in school? How can we boost our wellbeing in the future so that we lead happy and healthy lives?
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