Earth Day always reminds me of just how big and small the world is. As I explore the globe and maps with my little ones and talk about caring for our environment, the world can seem so big. However, as I help my little ones understand that throwing trash on the ground here could mean that same trash ends up in an ocean on the other side of the world, all of the sudden we realize that the world is also small because we are all so interconnected. Helping my sons understand that caring for the Earth is a way to care for other people — even people far away — raises their awareness and interest in being global citizens and excites them even more about taking care of the planet. I love Theresa of Howling Healing Art‘s insight on connecting to others through Earth Day:
I have always tried to teach my kids that helping the Earth could start in our own house and backyard, but is not limited to it. And so we travel to see other places, visit family in other countries and learn that all beings in the planet are interconnected; what we do here affects people on the other side of the world. If all children learn to believe this while growing up, Earth will have a brighter future.
Becky of Kid World Citizen has great ideas too:
We talk a lot about concrete ideas that WE can do as a family that will positively affect the world. We talk about: what comes in our house (especially where food comes from, buying in season, buying less, buying used, avoiding extra packaging), how we use energy (turning off lights, packing lunches in reusable baggies), what leaves our house as trash (or or recycling!). Our decisions and actions affect people – and wildlife – around the world.
Jennifer is a mom of two, as well as an independent filmmaker who has taught filmmaking to youth, most notably with her Spotlight On Hope Film Camp, a free film camp for Pediatric Cancer patients. She writes about her experiences with Wild Thing and Caterpillar at The Good Long Road with an emphasis on mindfulness, imagination, and creative activities related to her toddler and preschooler’s favorite children’s books. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+.
Multicultural Kid Blogs is excited to host this Earth Day Blog Hop, which runs throughout the month of April. Please link up activities that help children learn to care for the planet, and share your thoughts about why caring for the planet helps children learn to care for one another — as global citizens.
Remember, you can share in the comments or by linking up below! You can also join the discussion in our Google + Community!
For some Earth Day inspiration including ideas for crafts and activities using recycled materials and much more, check out our Earth Day is Every Day Pinboard. Two other Pinterest favorites are Mommy Maestra’s Bilingual Earth Day Pinboard and Kids Yoga Stories’ Pinboard, Books: Earth Day.
You can also enjoy Daria Music’s Earth Day Music Craft e-Book for free in April, and there is a Very Special Earth Day Contest for kids of all abilities over at Wonder Baby sponsored by Daria Music.
Jennifer Fischer
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It is great idea of celebrating days like the earth day which not only makes our children contribute towards their future, but also makes them realize that we share our planet and live together. The concept of preserving our surroundings and sharing resources, developed by doing activities will make them think beyond the boundaries demarcated by their cities and nations. Storytelling is a great tool which can be used to teach children the importance of living together as global citizens. Telling stories about preserving water on the World Water Day is another scenario that can be explored. They can be educated about the need to preserve water depicted through a story which takes them in future, in a world without water.
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