You can lead a child to nature....

But you can't make her think. And sometimes that's a good thing.

This thought was stuck in my mind the other day after leading my weekly group of kids into nature. I realized how different a 4th Grader is from a 2nd Grader when it comes to attention spans, the complexity of the information they can process, and general maturity levels. But when it comes down to it, my job isn't necessarily to cram their brains full of information on nature, it's to facilitate their experience in nature. I try to encourage observation, curiosity, respect, and generate enthusiasm. These are values that can lead to a deeper appreciation of nature, which in turn will hopefully lead to a strong desire to protect the environment.

I'll end this post with a quote from Michael Cohen, ecopsychologist:

"Humans have to fall in love with the planet before they can save it."

Meet Sprout

Sprout is the avatar of Teaching Green. He will serve as a guide throughout the lessons of the program.

Musings

I've been thinking about how this project is going to take shape. I've realized that as much as I want to "speak to" the kids themselves, I really need to build trust in the parents/guardians in order to access the children. I'm coming to understand that this project is as much about the parents as it is about the kids. Is there a way to address both of these at once?

What would help parents buy into the idea that kids have to get back into nature** and spend time there if they are to take care of the planet for future generations?

**my definition of nature ranges from local parks and wildlife areas, to national monuments like Yosemite, to backyards, schoolyards and the small patch of grass on the sidewalk.

A Book Everyone Should Read

Throughout my research I have been very inspired by one book in particular, "The Last Child in the Woods" by Richard Louv. I felt like the necessity my thesis project had been validated after reading it. In addition to providing me with endless resources on environmental education, I also found myself fondly remembering all of the times that I was outside enjoying myself as a child. This nostalgia made me sad for the children of today who don't seem to be having these wonderful experiences. It is my goal and intention to get the kids back into the woods (or at least in their backyards).

What it's all about

OBJECTIVE
Inspire elementary school students to be stewards of the earth.

SITUATION
The future of the environment is in the hands of our youth. They will be the businesspeople and policy makers who make the decisions that either preserve or destroy the planet. In a time when people are becoming further removed from nature, it is crucial for us to help children reconnect with the earth, to understand what it means to be connected to everything else. What does it feel like to take a deep breath of fresh air? To dig into rich soil with our fingers? To gaze at a bright blue sky and make shapes out of clouds? To rest in the shade of an ancient oak tree? By connecting to the earth, children can begin to understand how their actions affect the environment. Experiences in nature enrich the lives of our children in more ways than one and are essential to their wellbeing and development. Increasing physical activity, encouraging creative play, and improving self-esteem are all effects of spending ample time outside. Children will be inspired to make a commitment to protect the planet once they establish a deep, long-lasting, emotional connection to the earth through these experiences.

While some schools incorporate environmental values into their curriculum, and many non-profit organizations provide both lesson plans and experiential nature programs, children are still not getting enough consistent education about the environment, or access to nature. How will children be inspired to take care of the earth if they have such a limited experience in the wilderness?

SOLUTION
TeachingGreen will encourage responsibility, exploration, and cooperation, and be designed to stimulate interaction between adults and children. The goals are to:
* Get kids as excited about the environment as they are about Pokemon and Harry Potter.
* Deliver a green message that is impactful, and cuts through the clutter of marketing and consumerism.
* Create a program that is both fun enough for kids and sophisticated enough for adults to enjoy.

TeachingGreen is a project that actively engages kids in positive outdoor experiences. By drawing upon the expertise of educators, non-profit programs, and parents, and by getting feedback from kids themselves, I will create a comprehensive set of tools that will generate a commitment to protecting the earth. These tools may include books, interactive toolkits, posters, pamphlets, and an interactive website. Ultimately, this will be a project that can either stand on its own, or be tailored for use within a classroom or a non-profit’s program.
While there is no substitute for hands-on interaction with nature and the environment, a creatively designed project will enhance elementary school education, making environmentalism a lifelong priority for our future leaders.