Children by nature happen to be inquisitive about every little thing when they are taught something new and by nature can catch up naturally than an adult. It is the first few years of one’s life that they learn about things that are going to stay with them for over a lifetime. Schools play a humongous role in one’s life when it comes to promoting individuals with an exceptional outlook and sincerity towards life. So, it is a school’s responsibility to plant the seed of environmental awareness in children so that they can take it forward with them to the generations to come.
Indian education system mostly follows the textbook culture, but its about time things change and schools promote environmental education in a more practical manner where children get to interact with nature more intimately. A child’s brain is akin to a sponge that tends to absorb things quickly, and the promotion of environmental education is no such exception. Teachers need first to create an interest in the children and make them want to do things to save the environment.
It is easy to feel discouraged while trying to be aware of environmental needs, and several boarding schools in Sonepat are ensuring that they buckle up and provide the right guidance to their little humans who would grow up to save the world in the future!
Students often think that all they need to do is learn from textbooks and appear for examinations, albeit, environmental awareness is more than just bookish knowledge. Following are a few steps that can be taken on a more practical level.
- Introducing children to first-hand learning pattern
The first and foremost aspect of understanding environmental awareness is to identify what are the issues and how they are affecting the planet at large. Students should be taught about identifying environmental issues such as climate change, global warming, water scarcity, deforestation, droughts and floods, and pollution. Once the problems are identified and learned, it would be easier for students to eradicate these with the solution.
Introducing the three Rs is an excellent initial introduction to a great way of learning how to eliminate waste and protect the environment at a more simplified and elementary level. The three Rs stands for reducing waste, re-using resources, and recycling materials. Schools can start by organizing special days solely dedicated to the plantation of trees and educating students on the importance of trees and how to contribute to the environment.
Schools should teach children how to save electricity and encourage them to switch off all appliances if they are not in use. The importance of water is also a significant topic to focus on, and children should be taught to close running taps and conserve and preserve water as much as they can. Another essential aspect to help these children get a grasp on is to keep the city clean and not throw garbage on the roads. Schools should organize events where students should be encouraged to clean parks or designated areas to teach them and inspire fellow civilians to make an integrated effort to keep the city clean. Some of the best schools in Sonepatare resort to taking these measures to build a more robust foundation in the education system.
- Teachers should lead by making an example
Human psychology has been designed in a manner where people tend to remember things that people did more than what they learned through textbooks. Teaching children through books might be okay, but it is bound to have a lasting impact on them if teachers lead by example and hence, do things that they are going to remember for the rest of their lives. Little things like picking up litter even if it has been thrown by someone else or starting a recycling system in the classroom where they can teach children how to re-use things might go a long way. After all, those little eyes are always on the watch and are always eager to learn things that are happening in front of their eyes.
- Word of mouth
Parents should be encouraged by schools to help raise environmental awareness in their homes. Small tasks like closing the faucet while washing their teeth or ditching shower to bathe from the bucket or picking up trash and throwing them in the dustbin or closing the tap while washing their hands with soap or even shut off the lights and other electrical appliances while they are not in use are great projects to start off with at home. Little things go a long way, and little things taught o little ones to go a lifetime!
Swarnprastha Public School is all set to offer environmental awareness education to students to ensure a healthier future by bringing up individuals who would help preserve the environment. The students are encouraged to enroll in learning activities and practical experiences. The teachers are friendly and ensure that the school houses a safe and healthy environment for the little ones. Being one of the top 5 schools in Sonepat, this educational system offers personalized and more practical means of learning programs to strengthen the confidence of its students.
