Earth Day is such an important reminder for adults and a learning experience for kids. However, no one can cover everything in one day! We have to remember that we need to read the stories, have discussions, learn, and make changes throughout the entire year.
Let’s do some Earth Day exploring, learning, and resource gathering so that you can return to this post and find the resources at any time of the year. I’m encouraged that we have so many options to help inform our children. So, let’s get started!
History of Earth Day
Earth Day began in 1970 on college campuses across the United States. Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin partnered with Congressman Pete McCloskey and activist Denis Hayes to organize events and teach-ins to bring awareness of the state of the planet. Earth Day brought major media coverage as universities began to unite with faith groups, private citizens, and organizations against oil spills, pollution, toxic dumps, extinction, and many more causes. By the end of 1970, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had been formed and many laws to protect the environment had been passed.
Denis Hayes went on to organize the spread of Earth Day around the world in 1990 and a massive global movement against global warming on Earth Day 2000.
Earth Day Books for Kids
Books give us many unique ways to engage with children. They allow us to introduce large, abstract concepts and make them more concrete. Books give us the opportunity to have in-depth discussions; they bring large problems children do not see and make them a part of their world. Reading books about plants and animals, trash and recycling, extinction, pollution, and saving our planet gives us the opportunity to educate, encourage and interact with these important concepts at a child-friendly level.
There are so many books that are great for Earth Day (or every day). Below I have linked two websites that will guide you in choosing the right books for your child.
Earth Day Videos for Kids
The first two videos give more information about Gaylord Nelson. The first is much better for younger children and the second would be suited for those upper elementary children. However, you could guide any elementary learner through either.
Below you will find a few other videos that cover topics relevant to Earth Day.
I encourage you to use these resources not just on April 22, but throughout the entire year. Never stop learning, growing, and teaching, friends!
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