Climate change is a pressing issue that is becoming increasingly alarming with extreme weather events on the rise globally. From historic floods to unseasonable heat waves and raging wildfires, the impact of climate change is undeniable.
Heidi Rose, an elementary school teacher in Denver, Colorado, knows firsthand the growing climate-related fear and anxiety that many people, including children, are experiencing. She felt overwhelmed by the escalating natural disasters and the irreversible damage being done to the environment, which led to years of intense climate anxiety.
However, Rose recognized the need for a more positive and constructive approach to teaching young students about climate change and sustainability. She shifted her focus from highlighting the problems to instilling appreciation and love for the planet in her first-grade classroom at Lincoln Elementary School.
Rose, like many educators, believes that teaching climate change to young children should be centered around hope and practical solutions rather than instilling fear and doom. She emphasizes the importance of fostering a sense of connectedness to the planet and promoting sustainability practices early on.
Moving Away From Abstraction
Mark Windschitl, a professor of science education, stresses the need to make climate change education concrete and relatable for young learners. By introducing sustainability practices in a tangible way that children can understand, teachers can lay the groundwork for developing critical thinking skills and environmental awareness.
For Rose, this approach translates into engaging her first-grade students with a waste-sorting station in the classroom. By connecting their actions to real-world consequences and encouraging independent thinking, she aims to cultivate a sense of responsibility towards the planet.
Grounding Lessons in Local Examples
Teachers are increasingly incorporating local examples and community-based initiatives into their climate change curriculum to make the subject more relevant and impactful for students. By showing how climate change directly affects their own neighborhoods and communities, educators can help children understand the interconnectedness of environmental issues.
Manuela Zamora, from New York Sun Works, emphasizes the importance of relating climate change lessons to students’ daily lives and surroundings to bridge the gap between abstract concepts and practical experiences.
Leading With Hope
Elaine Makarevich, a veteran educator, advocates for instilling hope and positivity in students when teaching about climate change. By emphasizing the power of individual actions and the importance of fostering a love for the planet, educators can empower children to become agents of positive change.
In Rose’s classroom, a collection of children’s books on conservation and the planet serves as a source of inspiration and optimism. Despite acknowledging the challenges, Rose focuses on what she can control as a teacher to influence her students positively.
While the impact of climate change may seem overwhelming, instilling a sense of awareness and connection to the planet in young minds is a crucial step towards building a more sustainable future.
