Children love animals. However, due to lack of inspiration and support, not every child shows respect and love towards the animal. Hence, as a parent, we should teach our children to respect and love animals as much as they love us. It becomes our environmental responsibility to inspire kids to protect wildlife.
Keeping the point of respecting and loving every creature - as well as their habitat - start inspiring your kid to protect wildlife in every possible way. Some easy and helpful ideas are listed down below for an easy start.
1. Look up in the sky
According to the American Museum of Natural History, a new study has estimated 18000 bird species in the world. And this number is quite double than the estimated. Hence, no matter in which part of the world you are located, you will find a flying bird in the sky. Therefore, ask your child to keep a look at the nearby surroundings to see which bird's species is there near to you. For more fun and learning outcome, ask your child to make a note of the name of the bird with some associated facts so that he can remember it for long.
2. Every creature has its importance
In general, we 'tag' some animals as 'bad', 'dangerous', 'unfriendly', etc. While doing so, we often forget that every creature is important for our Nature. Each of them has got their role to play in Nature's food cycle. For example, we do not love Sharks as much as we do love Dolphins. Here, we miss out on the fact that Sharks are important to control the population of the fish thereby maintaining the health of the ocean. Likewise, bees are often been termed as 'dangerous', but bees are important for the pollination process. Hence, describe the importance of the creature first rather than tagging them negatively in front of your kid.
3. Understand the Nature
According to Wikipedia, Wildlife traditionally refers to undomesticated animal species but has come to include all organisms that grow or live wild in an area without being introduced by humans. Hence, now flora has also become part of wildlife. So here you can help your kids to collect those unique dead leaves which they come across in their park or garden. It can be a broken flower, dried leaf, a fruit seed, etc. Now he can use these items for his scrapbook by adding some details and information about these things. It will help him to know his natural surroundings better.
4. Wildlife is NOT restricted to forest
Whenever we see a butterfly hovering over a flower, didn't we feel excited? But have we ever tried to know what she actually does by hovering? Therefore, next time when you see a butterfly hovering over a flower, ask your kid to observe at butterfly's behaviour and try to understand what she's trying to do. But for your knowledge, I would like to share this fact - Butterflies get their energy from the flower nectar. These nectars are sugary in taste and hence provides energy to Butterflies. Hence, you will see butterflies are attracted towards the wild and the bright-coloured flowers, especially Red, yellow and green colours.
5. Try some wild moves
Do you remember the way you used to climb up the trees in your childhood? Or the way of crawling behind the green bushes? Although these moves were wild, somewhere they teach you how these animals or insects live their life in this kind of environment. Hence let your child climb the trees so that he can change his perspective on the habitats of wildlife.
6. Let your child click some photographs of wildlife
Encourage your child to try his hands on wildlife photography. Photography can bridge the gap between this young generation and wildlife. Children will get to know more about animals and their habitats. Through photography, they can capture some real and beautiful green landscapes, as well as of living creatures. Moreover, this photography helps children to learn more about wildlife.
7. Snorkeling
Snorkeling is swimming on the surface of the water while looking underwater for understanding marine life. As underwater swimming is not possible for everyone, snorkelling can be the safest way to know more about aquatic life. It is quite a popular recreational activity too which provides an awesome introduction with water activity. Through this activity, children will get the opportunity to observe underwater life in a natural setting without causing any harm to aquatic animals.
Apart from the above-mentioned easy ways to inspire kids to protect wildlife, you can play some with your kids which involves wildlife. For example:
Make animal sounds: Have one person named as an animal and ask him to behave like the same. If he is named as a lion, then he has to behave like a lion - roar, walk slowly, etc. Meanwhile, you can share some vital facts about lion like his food, his body structure, his habitat, etc. This will make your child more informed about the same.
I hope you have found my article #HelpfulBlog. Please share your thoughts, opinions and feedback in the comments section below. Till then, stay safe and take care.
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