Teaching children the importance of taking care of our Earth, especially when young, can be and abstract and difficult task. But getting kids involved with hands-on learning activities and active in practicing green habits is and important part of learning life long skills that can aid in taking care of our Earth. Today Anna from Kids Play Space has an awesome book review of “This is Our World” (See below for product link) and it gives information on a little bit of everything. She has some great ideas on how to implement the book into real life and how to truly practice green habits with your kids!
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“, by Emily Sollinger and illustrated by Jo Brown is such a winner for little ones to learn about and appreciate the Earth! I love this book so much, and knew our 3 year old would really enjoy it – that we even made it part of his birthday present!
The story is simple and relate-able for kids, and as an added incentive, each page has a camouflaged puzzle piece to collect along the way and put together at the end. Then the pieces can be flipped over for a 2nd puzzle picture! What a great bonus – visual perception skills, visual motor integration, problem solving, colour identification practise, …and a green theme!
Activities the story might inspire:
– gardening (planting, watering, weeding, watching things grow!…)
– a trip to the park, city gardens, the farm, (anywhere ‘green’)…
– a play at the beach (along with a bucket/bag, gloves and tongs to gather up some litter)…
– some art/craft for little bird/animal visitors to the garden…
– identifying recyclable trash
– taking a ‘recycling garbage truck tour of the neighbourhood’
– choosing to walk or take the bike/scooter/skates rather than the car sometime
– taking a train or bus trip instead of the car…
– a fun, green themed play date or family activity…
– start a vegetable patch, pots or containers (even in a window sil!)
– visit a local farmer’s market…
But wait, there’s more! There are a bunch of other wonderful Little Green Books to get stuck into too!
Do you enjoy reading with your kids? There are so many wonderful green books to get into the Earth Day spirit, and more importantly, nurture life long habits to care for our world. I’d love to hear about your favourites!
For more Kids Play Space eco-fun, you might like to check out the following posts:
– Gardening Magic -for lots of ideas for involving kids in the garden
– Cereal Box City Dominoes – for a recycled (multiple times) loose part DIY toy ideas
– The Value of Water Play – for an exploration of why water play is so important for children, including its part in water conservation education.
Anna is a Melbourne based paediatric occupational therapist and mama to one gorgeous little boy. Author of the blog Kids’ Play Space – a mother’s journey, Anna is passionate about creating fun, simple, cheap, sustainable, nurturing play spaces, accessible to all children and easy enough for anyone to set up! [Be sure to follow along and join in the fun at www.kidsplayspace.com.au , on Facebook, Pinterest and Google+ !]
What do you think – what other activities and habits model taking care of our Earth?
Don’t forget to check out other ways to teach and learn with kids about the Earth and the importance to take care of it. Visit the main page for the Ultimate Earth Day Guide and explore the variety of activities and resources that all focus on taking care of our Earth!
Kara is an author and advocate for positive, grace-filled parenting. She is homeschooler to her 6 children living on a farm in New England. She believes in creative educational approaches to help kids dive deeper into a rich learning experience and has her degree in Secondary Education & Adolescent Childhood Development. She is passionate about connecting with and helping other parents on their journey to raise awesome kids!
JDaniel4's Mom
This looks like a really wonderful book!
Kara
It does! I am excited to get a copy myself 🙂
Lisette Martin
Looks like a very interesting book! I’ll have to look for it!