How To Explain The Greenhouse Effect To Children
Children will be responsible for taking care of the planet in the future, and that is a very important task that requires the right knowledge and tools. This is why it is so important to explain the greenhouse effect to children from a very young age. In this way, they will grow up with a conscience already formed in that subject.
But the job can seem a bit difficult. You have to find a simple way to explain it so that they can understand it; Using games or stories can be a great idea. Next, we will look at some elements that can help explain the greenhouse effect to children.
The greenhouse effect in simple words
To tell the little ones what the greenhouse effect is, it is best to use concrete examples. It can be explained to them, for example, that every time they shower or turn on the light, they need energy to do so. And that energy is obtained by burning some type of fuel such as gas, coal or oil.
By burning that energy, we send an enormous amount of gases into the layer of air around the Earth (called the atmosphere). These gases accumulate in the atmosphere and do not allow heat to escape into space. And that is why the temperature of the Earth increases.
This phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect. It is called a greenhouse because it is the same as when a shelter is built in winter to protect the plants from the cold.
It is important to also explain to children that the shower or light are only a very small part of the things that cause this accumulation of gases. Cars and factories, for example, are other elements that also help these gases to form.
To complete the concept of the greenhouse effect, we will explain why it is bad that it is hotter on Earth. They can be told that this excess heat causes the ice at the poles to melt, there are more storms and floods and the sea level rises. This is what is known as global warming or climate change.
It is important that children feel involved
Once children have been explained what the greenhouse effect is and why it is so bad for the planet, it is important to tell them that there are some things they can do to help. This way they will feel committed and that will motivate them to take concrete actions and involve their families in them.
Like adults, children can do many things to help reduce the greenhouse effect. One of the secrets is to save energy and respect the nature that surrounds us. There are some very simple things that children can do. One of them is to go by bus to school and not by car. That way, a single vehicle will transport many children instead of each traveling in their own car.
Another measure that children can take is to shower instead of bathing and to do it as quickly as possible to consume less gas or electricity. A very simple gesture that will also help reduce the greenhouse effect is to turn off the light and the TV every time they are not using it. And, of course, it is necessary to teach them from a young age the importance of recycling, that is, that things can have a second (or third) life.
The stories: a great support material
To support parents and teachers in explaining the greenhouse effect to children, there are also several stories that can be very helpful. These books have been specially created to address the problem in an easy and didactic way so that children can understand it and feel involved.
There are three classics on this topic:
- The first title is Has the weather gone crazy? , from Editorial Akal, and is recommended for children between nine and twelve years old.
- The second is The Climate at Your Fingertips, and is designed for the same age range.
- And the third, Kirima’s Journey , is an interactive story designed for children ages three to six.
In short, explaining what the greenhouse effect is to children is complicated, but not impossible. It is about making the little ones aware of the need to take care of our planet, as this will redound to benefits for future generations.
