Environmental Education for Children †Free Samples for Students

Question: Discuss About The Environmental Education For Children? Answer: Introduction: Mother Nature has given us everything, shelter, nourishment and protection, and in turn we have given back nothing but devastation. The impact of modernization has destroyed the characteristics of our environment and has made the survival of our ecosystem extremely difficult. Time has come for us to make amendments to restore the balance of our ecosystem and revive the sustainability of it. It should not escape notice that the future generation has equal rights to enjoy the beauty of nature and revel in it (Ojala, 2012). In order to facilitate a healthy environment it is important to have a generation that is well informed and aware of the needs and requirements. And if the future generation is not aware of the worsening conditions of the environment then achieving a healthy environment would not be possible. The children should be made aware of the adverse impact our everyday activities can have on the sustainability of the environment and what actions can facilitate sustainability of the environment (Hart, 2013). This report will focus on environmental education for the children and the importance of it in the near future. Importance of Environmental Education: The children should be made aware of what is awaiting them in the future with the continual destruction of nature and natural resources. Studies suggest that the future generation will be much more capable of dealing with the consequences and taking actions that will be effective in restoring the sustainability of the environment if they are introduced to taking ecologically sustainable actions from very early in their lives. The concept of environmental education has spewed from this belief attempting to educate the children to value nature and its resources and take actions that are adequate for sustaining the natural balance of our environment (Hart, 2013). It has to be understood that the human society has attained a stage where the delicate balance between use and abuse of natural resources have been blurred. The rapidly increasing number of different species becoming extinct and endangered bears the proof of the extent of damage that has already been done. The only way to start amending for the past mistakes is to start conserving what is left, and the future generation needs to be advocates of conserving and nurturing our environment. In a world where the human society is growing more and more distant nature, it is paramount to ensure that the children are educated to connect with nature, value it and take responsibility for restoring it to its former glory (Frantz Mayer, 2014). Results and Benefits of Environmental Education: As mentioned above, environmental education will ensure that the children are aware of the challenges that the future has in store so that they can plan ahead to combat them. This is the concept on which the foundation of environmental educational programs is designed. However, the question remains whether the impact of environmental education on the children will meet the benchmark it was set to achieve (Biedenweg, Monroe Oxarart, 2013). As literature attests, the imp[act of environmental education have been positive and has integrated a sense of empathy in the children towards nature. The exploratory research study by Judith Cheng and Martha Monroe, has explained four parameters of change that was brought forwards in the children after a compulsory environmental education program. The authors attested that the children were more connected with nature, have more empathy towards animals and plants, enjoy the nature more and were more responsible towards nature after the interactive program (Cheng Monroe, 2012). There are some added benefits of environmental education as well, along with making the children more aware of the beauty of nature and the threat to it, these programs act brilliantly as nature therapy. Studies have suggested that the environmental education programs are very effective as a remedy for ADHD, which is very common in children. This view is supported by the extensive study by Kuo and Taylors who identified the green space therapy to be extremely beneficial in eradicating attention deficit and other hyper activity disorders in children (Kuo Taylor, 2004). Conclusion: On a concluding not, it can be said, that environmental education can be elemental in generating a deep contact between children and nature which not only establish a sense of responsibility and empathy towards the environment in them but will also build a strong morale and personality in the children. Furthermore, these programs can also double up as therapeutic sessions that can eradicate attention and behavioural problems in children and generate patience, adjustment and perseverance in the children making it a win-win situation from all aspects. References: Biedenweg, K., Monroe, M. C., Oxarart, A. (2013). The importance of teaching ethics of sustainability.International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education,14(1), 6-14. Cheng, J. C. H., Monroe, M. C. (2012). Connection to nature: Childrens affective attitude toward nature.Environment and Behavior,44(1), 31-49. Frantz, C. M., Mayer, F. S. (2014). The importance of connection to nature in assessing environmental education programs.Studies in Educational Evaluation,41, 85-89. Hart, R. A. (2013).Children's participation: The theory and practice of involving young citizens in community development and environmental care. Routledge. Kuo, F. E., Faber Taylor, A. (2004). A potential natural treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: evidence from a national study.American journal of public health,94(9), 1580-1586. Ojala, M. (2012). Hope and climate change: The importance of hope for environmental engagement among young people.Environmental Education Research,18(5), 625-642.