Environment & Social Understanding
Environment and Social Understanding - Life Skills eBook
Importance of the Environment and Social Understanding life skills for children
It is every parent’s wish for their child to grow up happy, healthy and inspired so they can lead a meaningful and fulfilling life. Today’s children are very interested in the environment – perhaps your children ask you many questions on this topic. If so, you’re not alone as a survey of 1027 children aged seven to 14 years by The Co-operative as part of their Green Revolution Education Programme, reported that 82% of children rated learning about environmental issues as: ‘important’. Environmental issues were rated ahead of science, history, IT and art, and only slightly behind English and maths.
As a parent you can make a significant difference in your children’s lives by supporting them to become aware of the environmental and social consequences of their own and other’s actions so they can make a positive contribution to our world. Most children live in societies that are diverse in terms of gender, culture and social status so understanding how to interact responsibly and sensitivity with people from all walks of life is important. Children who understand what it means to be environmentally and socially responsible and how to act ethically in the face of life’s many challenges will have valuable skills for life.
Sustainability is about making sure that we take care of our long-term wellbeing. To do that we need to protect the environment and the animals take care of all of the people around the world. It’s crucial that children understand how to act ethically and are aware of the social and environmental consequences of their own and other’s actions if they are to make a positive difference in the world.
Benefits of the Environment and Social Understanding life skills for children
The benefits of helping your children to understand about their social and environmental responsibilities include that they will be able to see themselves as not just part of a family, but as contributing members of community and proactive global citizens. Social awareness is about being conscious of the issues that different people, communities, or societies face on a day-to-day basis. Children with an awakened social consciousness are more likely to act in a positive way by being empathetic towards others regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, disability, class, or sexual identity.
Your children make numerous choices every day. It’s essential to help them learn to manage their own behaviours rather than relying on you or others to regulate their words and behaviours. You won’t always be there to guide them, so helping your children develop the ability and the desire to act responsibly and ethically will help them develop positive character qualities with which to navigate life successfully.
Environment and social life skills help your child develop a social conscience by becoming aware of the many inequities in society such as homelessness, different social classes and racism. Working through these activities will increase your child’s respect and gratitude for what they have in their own lives. These are all very valuable and beneficial life skills for your child to develop.
Here are the 12 activities to help your child develop life skills around Environment and Social Understanding:
LIFE SKILL 1: Understanding and managing bullying
LIFE SKILL 2: Using the garbage and recycling bins
LIFE SKILL 3: An introduction to making ethical choices
LIFE SKILL 4: Social awareness about homelessness
LIFE SKILL 5: Water conservation
LIFE SKILL 6: What is racial discrimination?
LIFE SKILL 7: Frameworks for making ethical decisions
LIFE SKILL 8: An introduction to the concept of different social classes
LIFE SKILL 9: Don’t waste paper
LIFE SKILL 9: Supporting children with disabilities
LIFE SKILL 10: Taking care of the natural environment at home
LIFE SKILL 12: Awareness of the garbage on our streets
Remember each activity only takes around 15 minutes to complete and you can complete them at your own pace at a time that suits you and your family’s lifestyle... Most importantly, imagine how good you’ll feel about the huge difference you’re making as a parent to your child’s understanding of how to act ethically, be a great social citizen and support the environment.