Parents can talk to their kids about climate change in 6 steps

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Parents can talk to their kids about climate change in 6 steps

Climate change isn’t exactly a pleasant topic. Many people are tired of the gloomy news that’s associated with it – floods, drought, melting glaciers, extreme heat. For that reason, many parents tend to shy away from discussing the issue with their children.

However, climate change is here with us and ignoring it won’t make it go away. An even greater risk is the future of these children being altered by climate change impacts. So, what better way to help them prepare for the reality that is climate change and help them stay resilient than you – their number one contact and most trusted source – having the conversation with them?

Here are 6 steps you can take if you hope to make headway with discussing climate change with your children.

Start early

Start teaching your children about climate change as early as possible – as soon as you start teaching them to talk and engage with the world. This will help them develop emotional intelligence and resilience as they grow.

When discussing climate change with them, do so in age-appropriate ways to help them connect climate issues to real life.

It can be in form of helping them understand why it rains more than it used to where you live or why there’s a shortage in rainfall.

How much do they already know?

Contrary to the opinion many adults hold, a significant number of young children know about climate change – through social media, school, and their peers.

Regardless of how much your children know, there is lasting value in your having a purposeful conversation about climate change. After all, even if it turns out your child knows more about climate change than you do, your effort will help show that it’s a topic worthy of your family’s time.

Do your research

Do not beat yourself up if you do not have extensive knowledge about climate-related issues but for the sake of your children, you can do some research so that you can have a balanced conversation with them while being equipped enough to answer their questions.

Make it relatable

Try explaining how weather patterns in your area are affected by greenhouse gas emissions. However, try not to be too “scientific” in your explanation.

Your focus should be on helping your children cope with the deeper effects of climate change.

You can start by asking your children to imagine the effects of climate change on their pets and speak from that viewpoint. Doing this can help them better cope with the anxiety.

Teach them to take action

Help them understand the steps they can take to reduce the risks associated with climate change. You can talk about reducing food waste, recycling, minimizing light usage, switching off appliances when they’re not in use, or engaging in climate conversations and activism at school.

You can give examples of what people have done or are doing in your community to mitigate climate change.

Encourage them to read children-focused climate change resources

There are books that explain climate change and complex climate terms in a simple way. There are also websites dedicated to educating children about climate change with resources that they can easily access.

An NGO like Climateaction.africa runs a weekly series of stories ( #ClimateStory4Kids )that convey the effects of climate change on communities in ways that children can understand and relate with.

Climate change is a reality and parents will surely have to discuss it with their children sooner than later. Parents would honestly talk to their kids about climate change as it will give them the needed knowledge and emotional resilience for them to cope with it.

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