[oceanchild71]

I have taught Earth/Environmental Science (high school) for 5+ years and the lack of interest about the environment and the impact that each of us has on our surroundings by so many of our students is absolutely horrifying.   > 

While much of this disinterest is the result of lack of education and role models, by the time these kids get to high school, they ought to have developed some empathy and not laugh when they see pictures of birds or manatees caught in debris.  While it can make you sick to think about these twisted minds, all I do is try even harder to instill a sense of respect and responsibility towards our surroundings in my daughters.  They are only 3 and 2, but they can identify several bird calls already and are always overjoyed when they see a butterfly.  I hope that enthusiasm never fades for them!  

[horselover]

Welcome oceanchild. I hope you can instill the same values into your students that you are doing with your own children.

[Aalaia]

One day at school my son's teacher told the class(gr 2) about the situation in the North. My son was horrified to hear that Polar Bears were drowning because the ice was melting and many bears would get stranded far from any land mass. He was desparate to do something to help the environment immediately. So he wanted to go pick up garbage from the neighbourhood. I'm sure he didn't think about how the two may be connected but he just wanted to do something. I took my kids and little cousins out with some bags and we cleaned up the park. I just want to keep him interested in the issues and help keep him active in anyway possible.

[Stepper]

Your son has great instincts and you are doing a wonderful job with him, Aalaia. Let's hope he becomes a role model for the kids around him.

[TheQueen31]

it's amazing what kids will do if given the right information. My son is very upset at theidea that we are wasting many of our resources. He is very comitted to saving energy around the house, and will run around shutting lights off. Recycling is just a given in this house, too. I certainly woudln't say my kids are perfect little enironmentalists, but they do care, and so do the other kids in their schools. I think there is change in the schools...though it is slow.

[Aalaia]

Originally Posted by Greenmom

Hello there,

I am a strong believer that by changing the attitude towards environment we can make the world much greener and it won't take scientists to sound the alarm.
Here is my suggestion - teach your children and use your personal example when it comes to such vast problem as trash - never throw anything where it should not be thrown. The children will learn and they WILL pass it on. And when they deliver the message it will be loud and clear.
Example - we went to a beautiful little valley and observed deer grazing, observation platform was in the middle of the meadow, sun was setting, birds were singing, beautiful. On our way back my daughter saw one of the visitors throw her cigarette in the meadow, she went up to the lady and very loudly asked her "why are you polluting the forest". Lady turned beet red and hurriedly went back to pick up her cigarette.

It is simple use the right vehicle for success

You are so right about being a good example. when recycle bins were introduced in TO my DAD became the recycling police. You could not throw any recycling in the garbage. Even now he looks in the garbage.

It's great that your daughter was so confident that she was able to speak up to an older woman. Good for her and you for raising her.

[Green Corey]

Hi Green Mom!

I'm very much behind you about teaching our children young. I see first hand every day how doing so can make a big difference. I started an organization called Green Students Fundraising where we teach kids about the 3 R's and do our best to inspire them to take actions to better our environment.

I'd also check out Eco Schools and EverGreen. Both of these groups are doing amazing things in Ontario.

Corey

[atula]

I absolutely agree with green mom...I have seen it for myself..how my toddler is so happily tending my potted plants and watering them just like he sees me doing...I once asked him not to tear the leaves, instead talk to the plants like friends..ever since he says hi and good morning to the plants...

[mtrent]

I totally agree with you. There are some times when my sons will teach me new things about protecting our planet simply from the things that they are learning from school.