You aren’t going to save the world on your own. But you might inspire a generation of kids to save it for all of us. You would be amazed at what inspired children can do. ——Jane Goodall The uncertainty, challenges and extraordinary times we are currently experiencing have more than likely caused us to feel a range of different emotions. Not only this, but it has also given us time to think and reflect about our lives and the world in which we live and raise our children.
Over the past couple of months, I have stumbled across a number of articles and images which have been a shining beacon of hope that the earth is in a state of unexpected reparation having suffered at the hands of humans for far too long. In such a short time, Mother Nature has seized our isolation as an opportunity to begin to right the wrongs that humans have had on our planet and it makes sense that we do what we can to continue having this positive impact. On April 22nd, the annual “Earth Day” event will take place and this year will be its 50th anniversary which provides another reason to make this an even more memorable event. The chosen theme this year is “Climate change” as this is described by the organisers as “…the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable.” 
Lots of exciting, thought-provoking and valuable opportunities would have been planned at Hiba Academy Shanghai to encapsulate the importance and inspire the children to develop an interest in the world and be responsible for playing their part in helping to combat this issue. However, due to recent events, this is something that (for now at least) needs to be done outside of the setting and with the added support from our dedicated network of parents, carers and wider families. Nonetheless, as always, we’re here to help in any way possible. So, to get you started, here’s a list of worthwhile and engaging activities that can be done at home to promote the message of saving our planet and protecting our environment: Go for a bike ride, run or walk This simple, yet very effective activity is not only great exercise but an opportunity to think about and discuss other forms of transport that is kinder to the planet. As an extension, maybe try to think of journeys you make during the week that can be replaced with something a little more people and planet friendly! Go on a nature hunt This nature scavenger hunt is very open-ended. What the children set out to find can vary depending on what they like, your location, or just what’s available at that moment. You can make a checklist for them to tick off their finds, take photos, draw a picture, or simply take a moment to admire and talk about what you observe.
Here is a list of some of the things you could look out for:
Recycle Try to get your children involved in recycling as much as possible. Having a clear system of easy-to-reach boxes with labels/pictures on them, and making sure that everyone understands what goes where will help make this a success. Talk about why recycling is important, what can be recycled, and what happens once it’s been collected. Make your own resources There are plenty of ideas online for resources that can easily be made with young children, for example, soap, recycled paper or playdough. This helps to reduce packaging and demonstrates that not everything has to be bought readymade from shops with all the extra packaging.
Grow your own plant Gardening activities have a big effect on children and their physical, emotional and social development. Gardening tasks such as weeding and watering plants and vegetables are a chance for children to use vital motor skills and it promotes responsibility. In addition to this, planting and growing food offers children an opportunity to learn about nutrition as well as the fun and rewards of eating the finished product. You might also find that your child may also be more willing to try new vegetables if they have grown their own. Use simple and positive messages Terms such as “climate change” and “sustainability” are difficult and mature concepts, so it is best to avoid using these and just keep things as simple and visual as possible. You should also make sure that the children feel empowered and excited to make a difference rather than anxious or scared. Try sticking to a few straightforward, positive messages such as these: Everything we do has an effect on our environment. Humans should respect and care for the world we live in.We don’t have an endless supply of resources so we need to reduce, reuse, recycle.We can all take small steps that together make a difference.Hopefully this has helped you to think about and prepare for the part your family can play in this important and historic day and we are excited to see and hear about your wonderful efforts. Jane Goodall, the famous conservationist, was my first choice of people to look at for inspiration when writing this article and I used her powerful quote at the beginning as I believe this encapsulates the essence of what I wanted to get across in this article. I will finish this article with an image I found a long time ago and one that I have been wanting to share since in a fitting context. There’s a lot we can learn in many ways from taking the moment to look at the world around us and this is a privilege we should ensure we protect, respect and afford to our future generations
