Effectiveness of Literature-based
Environmental Education on Children
Nilufer Ali
PhD Research Scholar
Jadavpur University
Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Introduction
In
today's world, exposing young children to the natural environment is crucial.
We must impart to the next generation the value of sustainability, environmental
consciousness, and conservation as the effects of human activity on the
environment become more and more apparent. Reading children's environmental
books is one of the most effective and beneficial ways to help young children
develop a connection with nature. One of the most important aspects of teaching
environmental awareness to children is to concentrate on children's literature
that highlights the value and beauty of nature. Children's environmental and
nature-themed stories foster a love of the natural world and offer occasions
for deep contemplation and meaningful engagement. Children are urged by these
books to investigate their surroundings, pose inquiries, and comprehend the
value and necessity of nature. Children are urged to investigate their
surroundings, pose inquiries, and comprehend the value and necessity of nature
by means of these books. It’s also critical to understand that these tales have
the power to influence how kids and their surroundings interact in the future.
Children who are exposed to positive environmental messages can develop a close
relationship with nature, which has shown to be extremely beneficial over time.
For instance, children can develop a respectful relationship with nature by
being exposed to stories about wildlife and the wilderness. Conversely, if
children are not exposed to environmental literature or are told stories about
pollution and destruction, it may leave them with the long-lasting impression
that nature is bad and should be avoided. Thus, increasing the availability of children's books about
the importance of the environment can contribute to establishing proper
connections and relationships that will eventually create a more sustainable
and nature-friendly generation.
Young children who read books about the environment have a profound and
long-lasting impact on developing a close relationship with the natural world.
Children's stories have the power to elevate the value and beauty of nature,
encourage introspection and meaningful conversation, and establish a positive
precedent for how children and their surroundings will interact in the future.
Alongside
more conventional subjects like math and language arts, environmental education
has long battled for acceptance. Children who lack environmental knowledge are
less likely to grow up with the awareness of and respect for the environment
that motivates them to take proactive measures to address environmental issues.
The lack of opportunities children have in today's classrooms to develop their
curiosity and bond with nature has led to what has been termed as
"nature-deficit disorder," an emotional and physical disconnect
between our youth and the environment. This lack of opportunity is caused by an
excessive amount of high-stakes standardized testing as well as a dearth of
pertinent curriculum that links the academics in the classroom to their local
environment. More than ever, it appears that kids don't know the fundamental
facts and understanding of environmental issues, which could be important in
encouraging sensitivity. Today's kids prefer playing indoors over outdoors and
can name cartoon characters better than native species. When kids do learn
about the environment, it's typically through overblown scare tactics about
things like acid rain, global warming, deforestation, air pollution, and water
pollution. They rarely hear about the proactive, positive ways people are
involved, which can have a detrimental long-term effect on our children. But
incorporating environmental education into the required curriculum can mean the
difference between a child growing up with a nature-deficit disorder or
becoming sensitive to the natural world.
A wide range of environmental issues, problems,
viewpoints, and concerns are connected to and understood through environmental
education, which takes many forms. Based on scholarly research, the ultimate
objective of these diverse definitions ultimately amounts to a procedure that
culminates in improved critical thinking, problem solving, and effective
decision making abilities. The main goal of environmental education is to
create a connection between the biophysical natural environment and the
man-made environment that affects it.
Finding
trustworthy and useful resources to help introduce these topics to school-age
children while keeping in mind the state's mandated standards is a challenge
faced by educators and schools alike as interest in and awareness of
environmental literacy grow daily. Using children's stories to teach
environmental education in the classroom can be a great idea. Children's
literature is becoming a more comprehensive resource for teaching students
about a wide range of topics, including energy, pollution, and animals. A
textbook cannot always arouse curiosity and appreciation like children's literature
can. Literature frequently uses simple language and clear illustrations for
students, which can advance their comprehension of ecology and the environment.
Textbooks do not often go into much detail about important concepts or they can
hold many inaccuracies, myths of misconceptions. The advantages of utilizing
children's literature to foster environmental sensitivity and awareness have
only been partially studied. However, after reading hundreds of picture books
with a natural theme, it is thought that utilizing literature is a valuable
addition to the comprehension of concepts related to the environment.
The
work of Ruskin Bond immerses us in the daily lives of common people, examining
their relationships with the natural world and means of subsistence. Bond's
tales are still relevant in light of contemporary events like the coal crisis,
COP26, floods in many parts of India, and conflicts with wildlife. Renowned
Indian author Ruskin Bond is well-known for his breath taking nature writings,
but he also emphasizes environmental activism in his works. Even though Bond is
not typically regarded as an activist in the traditional sense, a closer
examination of his works reveals a long-standing dedication to environmental
sustainability and preservation. It is imperative that we comprehend Bond's
portrayal of the mutual dependence between humans and the environment, as well
as his opinions on unchecked urbanization and industrialization, as well as his
appeals for safeguarding the environment. Bond uses a number of literary
techniques, such as vivid imagery, wistful recollections, and subtly
didacticism, to successfully persuade readers to care more about the
environment. According to the study, Bond's literary works inspire readers to
cherish, protect, and preserve the natural environment, making them an
effective tool for environmental activism.
Ruskin
Bond's short stories demonstrate his awareness of environmental degradation.
His stories are a creative and accurate representation of his natural sensitivity.
His short stories do a fantastic job of capturing India and Indians. His
heights in the vignettes he paints are incalculable, his canvas is broad, and
his depth is inconceivable. He shows a strong emotional connection to the
uncomplicated men and women he plays. They are painted with a sincere feeling
of love and sympathy, and they are incredibly real. Dehradun serves as the
setting for his characters' struggles as they realize their goals and fulfil
their destiny. Hills, mountains, rivers, streams, trees, birds, and animals are
all forms of nature, and Bond has a strong emotional connection to them. The
genre of the short story requires a certain level of plot structure precision,
clarity in characterization, intensity in the thematic concern, and story
appeal. In a limited number of words, the writer of a short story must express
a meaning, aesthetic delight, and commentary on the state of humanity. Bond
uses all of these to great effect. His father and grandfather are the subjects
of the majority of his first-person narrative stories. His tales arouse
readers' love for the natural world and concern for its preservation. The above
ethos is somewhat reflected in Ruskin Bond's short stories. He has been
referred to as a writer who both appreciates and wants to alert readers to the
environmental risks posed by urbanization, commercialization, and
industrialization. He was born and raised in Dehradun and the Uttarakhand hills
of India. "Problems of deforestation, pollution, and environmental decay of
wildlife have been the subject matter of most of my stories and essays,"
he states in an interview with Amita Aggarwal. In certain places, man lives
near nature, as Bond notes in his Book of Nature.
Developing children's books with the goal of
teaching environmental education requires using relatable situations,
compelling characters, and upbeat themes to inspire young readers to take an
interest in and care for the environment. A few narrative concepts with various
environmental themes include:
Preservation of Forests
Reducing Waste and Recycling
Conserving Water
Awareness of Climate Change
Protection of Animals
Important Components to Add:
Positive Protagonists: Those with likable personalities who take initiative to
address environmental issues.
Personification: To foster empathy, endow animals and natural elements with
human characteristics.
Visual Imagery: To make the story come to life, use colourful descriptions and
illustrations. Simple Language: Make sure the vocabulary is appropriate for the
age range you are aiming for.
Call to Action: Motivate young readers to adopt a few simple eco-friendly
habits in their everyday lives.
Always be willing to have meaningful conversations
about significant issues with kids in an age-appropriate way, and don't forget
to customize your stories to the unique environmental concerns in your area.
Given below is an example of a short story composed in order to spread
environmental awareness amongst children.
Nilufer Ali
In the lush green meadows, under the sunny, azure and open sky; Tina and
her little brother Tony were playing with their pet cat Daisy. As beautiful as
the day was, their excitement was even greater. This was the best time of the
year for these siblings.
Oh! Yes, it was indeed the Summer Vacation, when their parents would
travel all the way from Kolkata to Dooars in North Bengal and leave these kids
there for about twenty days, to experience nature and its miracles, which could
hardly be seen in their mundane as well as busy city streets.
Tina and Tony would run from this end of the field to the other, fall
innumerable times, laugh to their heart’s content, chase their cat, play hide
and seek and most of their time was spent without having to worry about any
materialistic thing or activity. No gadgets and electronic devices as well!
They had nature all around them to play with. They ate farm fresh
vegetables cooked with love and utmost care of their grandparents. Even some
fruits were available in the gardens maintained by their hardworking, simple
living grandparents.
Life was extraordinarily beautiful here: open green fields with cows and
goats roaming all day, hens clucking in the front yards, ducks swimming in the
ponds, birds chirping and flying all around in the open skies, huge mountains
as well as thick forests to be seen far away, people gathering to talk,
children playing in groups.
There were very few cars so noise and smoke from them created less
pollution here. The air was clear. The water was clean. Everything here seemed
evergreen.
There was only one restriction imposed upon them by their grandparents.
They were strictly warned to stay away from the forest area and never ever
loiter beyond the field. The siblings found no problem in following this
instruction because of their obedient behaviour.
As usual, while playing one day, their cat went out of sight and
obviously they were busy looking around for the poor creature. It was quite
easy to look around the field as the grass had been recently mowed, but to
their surprise the cuddly fellow was not to be found anywhere.
Their curious instincts made them cross the field and walk further
towards the prohibited zone. They kept calling and moving towards the direction
of the forest but it seemed longer than their imagination.
Tina and Tony stared at the sight, frightened and shivering through
their nerves. Oh! the thick foliage, darkest shade of green almost black in
colour, the scariest of sounds, the rustling of dry leaves, hooting of owls,
screeching of bats, some unfamiliar voices, all this made both the siblings
tremble and run as fast as they could; but they had lost their way.
Tina consoled her little brother and kept moving forward towards an
unknown direction, just in hope to reach their destination. While moving
further, they found the darkest shade of green changing its colour, getting
visibly lighter and lighter. This gave them a ray of hope, which turned into a
disaster after some time.
The siblings were quite surprised at the changing scenario, until they
reached a point where everything turned suddenly white from green. The hills
were white, without being covered in snow; the trunks of trees were white; the
water running through the stream was white as well, instead of being crystal
clear.
There were no leaves on any of the trees, neither were there flowers to
be seen. The ground was pebbly covered with boulders and stones, making it difficult
for them to walk. Their fear had changed to astonishment and curiosity of
exploring the place. Somehow they struggled and reached further where they
found few humans or from what they saw; those humans appeared to be rather
aliens.
Every creature there was disfigured and walked slower than snails. Each
one of them was carrying a cylinder on their backs which was attached to their
mouths through a thick pipe; and this made it impossible for them to speak. The
word ‘OXYGEN’ was written on these cylinders.
As Tina and Tony moved forward, they found that even the white coloured
trees were no longer there, instead there were tall buildings only to be seen,
as far as their sight went. Some creatures were roaming inside with gadgets in
their hands, as visible from the glass panes. Some other creatures were seated
with laptops on the table.
The siblings went from one building to another and found only
materialistic things, gadgets, appliances and these alien like creatures
operating them. Now they wondered what these creatures ate or drank. They
couldn’t ask anyone as nobody could speak. There was no sound of humans
speaking; but ……. there was tremendous noise pollution due to the sounds
created by heavy machines all around as well as vehicles honking and screeching.
The atmosphere was extremely smoky and hazy, due to all the gases being
released from the factories and the vehicles as well. Walking a little further,
Tina and Tony saw some creatures eating pebbles after picking them up from the
ground and soaking them into the white stream.
The siblings thought that milk flowed through the stream which made its
colour white, but when they reached closer to the stream, they found that it
was full of chemicals being drained into it from the nearby factories and machineries.
Oh! What a sight they had seen. It made them more curious than ever. They
wondered how this place was so peculiar than where they had come from and why
were these creatures so different from them.
Tina and Tony looked at each other in amazement and said that they had
never even read about such creatures or their bizarre world with bizarre living
conditions. There was no greenery anywhere around, no birds chirping or
singing, no animals loitering around, no fish in the stream. The scorching heat
of the sun made the ground hot as fire and difficult to walk. The creatures
were sweating as if it was drizzling from their bodies. Was this world for
real! They asked each other. These human were so helpless, they thought.
The siblings started feeling hungry, and missing their home as well.
They missed their cat, which they had not found yet. They missed the place they
had come from. Which direction would carry them to their house, was quite
difficult to understand. Nobody to guide or help was the icing on the cake.
Without losing hope the siblings turned around and moved towards the
direction they had come from. Walking forward they came across a large hole
made on the ground by some spaceship used by these creatures. Suddenly, they
tripped over some boulder on their way and fell down with their eyes closed.
They were sure enough to fall on these stones and hurt themselves very badly.
To their utter surprise, they felt themselves landed on a soft ground.
They hugged each other and began jumping with joy. Both of them opened their
eyes, only to see themselves jumping on their soft and cosy bed.
Was this a Nightmare! They asked each other. Thank Almighty! We don’t
belong to that bizarre world, they told each other with laughter and joy in
their hearts.
Tina and Tony ran outside with a newfound delight, cuddled their
grandparents, and kissed them. They were actually hungry so grandmother brought
food for all of them. The family sat down together for a satisfying meal. While
eating the siblings thought about the stones being eaten and giggled at each
other, but they were extremely overjoyed to get proper food to satisfy their
hunger. Their cat Daisy also came and sat down beside them. Some fish was given
in a mud bowl to the fluffy being.
In the night, grandmother began telling them a story to put them to
sleep. After she had finished, the siblings narrated their peculiar dream and
how it had made them both frightened and sad at the same time.
Grandmother told them that if humans continue to act like strangers with
nature, this peculiar dream would turn out to be their future. She told them
how different city people were from village people. They keep cutting down
trees to build tall buildings, mansions and offices. They hardly care about the
destruction caused to the environment due to their activities. She also told
them, how everyday she found some article in the newspaper about the wrath of
humans created upon the green world.
Nature is getting angry now, she said and it is all coming back to us in
different ways. You see uneven rains causing drought in some places, on the
other hand causing floods in other places. Summers are hotter and winters are
colder. The mountains are experiencing landslides and other problems as well.
We see some new disastrous affect every day and wait for another coming, but
wish that people change and we let nature be as it is supposed to be.
Tina and Tony promised their grandmother that they would not behave like
this and that they would do something to prevent people from causing havoc to
Mother Nature, when they grew up. Grandmother blessed them!
Conclusion
Children's
literature can be a highly effective tool for introducing and promoting
environmental concepts because children are inherently curious. Children's
literature can serve as a more accessible lens through which they can examine
how they feel about the natural world and how other characters see and
understand various issues. Because literature is so adaptable, it is ideal for
use in cross-curricular subjects as well as language arts classes to
incorporate environmentally conscious literature. Youngsters can learn more
about environmental concepts and simultaneously advance their reading
abilities. Not only can children's literature help make our young people
responsible and conscious members of our planet, but it can also ensure that as
adults, they strive for outcomes that make sense to them. Giving kids the
chance to grow up with the environmental sensitivity necessary to actively
participate in decisions that impact our environment will become more and more
important as society becomes more conscious of our surroundings and, in
particular, the role and responsibility we all have. This sensitivity
encompasses awareness of, investigation into, and enjoyment of their surroundings.
Teachers' ability to nurture, foster, encourage and guide children's sense of
wonder about our natural world has a significant impact on the quality of their
awareness.
Reference
Bond,
Ruskin. 2016. Collected Short Stories
Ruskin Bond. India: Penguin Random House.