It can be difficult for kids to grasp the entire scale and gravity of climate change. However, parents can start a conversation about what’s going on in our environment, which could benefit them in the future.
Many parents struggle to discuss climate change with their children. Heavy information might be difficult for them to process and may cause them to feel bad and anxious.
According to a study about Parents’ Perspectives on climate Change Education held in 2023, it suggested that parents are more likely to discuss climate change subjects with their children that are visible to them and related to their everyday lives (i.e., plants, animals, or nonliving items near home or school).
If your child is of a particular age, they are most likely already learning about climate change through school, the internet, or friends and have slowly become aware of the effects of it.
Here are some steps that parents could follow to teach their young ones how to deal with climate change:
1. Introduce the Concept by Defining Climate Change Slowly
Certainly, young people recognize significant shifts in the weather. This can be an indirect way to begin explaining what is happening to them. Climate change can be frightening at first. Introducing and teaching them about it gently can help them grasp it better.
2. Teach Them the Problem That Comes With Climate Change
Climate change has a bigger impact on children than parents think. Teaching them about the problem can help them adjust and become more conscious of how their actions impact the environment.
3. Assure Them That We Are Trying To Solve That Problem
The concept of climate change and its consequences may appear grim, particularly for young people. Reassuring them that we can try to solve the problem can help them see it in a better perspective.
Informing them on projects and activities focused on resolving the issue can help alleviate their concerns about climate change. It might also pique their attention and motivate them to act.
4. Guide Them On What They Can Do by Setting Examples
Kids typically follow their parents’ actions. Even basic acts, such as recycling and conserving electricity at home, can have a significant impact. Teaching them these tiny behaviors helps them understand that they, too, can make a difference.
Education has the power to change people’s minds and ideas. Parents may set a good example by acting responsibly in helping their children understand the seriousness of issues that shape each child’s future.
