January 2, 2023
January 2, 2023
Climate change: not only is it a big subject, but it also can seem quite scary, especially for children. That’s why it’s important to understand how to talk to kids about this vital topic – a topic that will have a huge impact on their lives now and in the future. Modern parents must understand why talking to your child about climate change is vital, as is discussing their understanding of climate change – children’s views on world issues are important, too.
So how do you explain climate change to kids? And when should you tell kids about climate change? Read on as we explore the answers to these questions, as well as some tips for talking about climate change with children.
Talk About It (Openly And Often)
The number one tip to all parents regarding climate change is to simply break the silence on the topic. While some families have already felt the devastating impact of climate change right in their own backyards, for many others it’s simply a scary concept on the news. Ignoring it is not an option either way, so try to put aside the emotions and have a fact-based, age-appropriate conversation with your child.
Some parents may be reluctant to bring up the subject because they feel guilty or confused; others may simply be distracted by other things going on in life. Still others are letting fear hold them back, which makes sense – who wants to discuss scary concepts like wildfires, huge storms, and global disasters with their children?
Maybe you simply aren’t sure where to start. But no matter where you’re coming from, don’t hold back. Start out by talking with other adults about climate change and then think about how you can present it to your children to help them both understand it and cope with the big feelings it may produce.
Do Your Homework
Before you can start to talk to your kids about climate change, make sure you understand it yourself. No one expects you to have all the answers, of course, but you can find reliable articles and videos online that can help to provide you with deeper insights into climate change so you can digest the information and then pass it on to your kids.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has some great online resources for both adults and children alike. It’s also a good idea to talk with teachers and/or other parents so you can understand how they’re presenting this information to their students and children.
Start Early
If you can, you should start early in your discussions. Many parents aren’t sure how to tackle climate change for early years, but there are ways to present the concept to small kids, particularly those from ages one to five.
Toddlers, in particular, are starting to learn about how they fit into the world around them. This makes it a great time to introduce nature to them. You can do this in a few easy ways. First, think about taking nature walks with them. Talk about how climate impacts the natural world and delve into simple concepts like how the weather makes seasons, how it can influence where birds build nests, or even how animals that live in the forest need their homes protected.
If you have a green thumb, another great way to introduce some simple ideas to younger children is to start a garden. That way, you can show them how to care for plants and how they grow, producing oxygen that we breathe – which makes a great transition into how pollution can make plants, animals, and people sick.
Finally, look for ways that climate change is impacting your local area. Hurricanes, floods, heatwaves, insect-borne illnesses, or wildfires are all examples of things that may be impacting where you live right now.
If your children are older and you haven’t yet broached the subject with them, that’s OK. Presenting this information to older children simply requires you to find a way to make it interesting to them and ensure they understand key concepts.
Ask Your Child
What are three topics you could discuss with children about the environment? This is a good question, and the answer may be simpler than you think. All you have to do is start by asking your child what they already know about climate change. They may know more than you realize.
Use the opportunity when starting this conversation to listen to what they know, as well as what their hopes and fears are for their future and the planet as a whole. Don’t minimize or dismiss their feelings; you want to keep the lines of communication open about this and other important topics. If there’s one thing parents should make sure their kids know, it’s that they can talk to them about anything.
Keep The Science Simple
When you’re explaining climate change to children, keep the information at a level you know they can easily digest. It may be good to start by looking at ways you can relate climate change to their everyday lives and talk about the basic facts of climate change together. If you can gather up some maps, videos, or pictures to help them understand what you’re talking about, that’s always a plus.
Talk About Solutions
For each issue you bring up together in your conversation related to climate change, attempt to talk about what you can do together to contribute toward solving it. This is a good place to explore what you can do as a family to battle climate change and reduce your environmental footprint. You may want to explore how you can reduce waste, save water and electricity, and recycle. Empower your child to take action and do it together!
The first conversation you have with your child about climate change may be challenging, but it’s worth it. It’s so important to keep the lines of communication open about this vital issue that will affect the future of every child alive today.
Featured image by Markus Spiske on Unsplash