Global warming and more generally ecological issues are the main challenges of the 21st century.
They call into question our whole way of life and consumption. They question our relationship to nature, our political choices, but also our education.
It is essential to approach this subject with our children while taking their age into account.
Let us remember that Maria Montessori wrote that peace will pass through the education of our children who will be the future adults who will make the important decisions for humanity. So, if we follow this logic, by making our children aware of ecological issues, we are participating in the “constitution” of a new generation of adults who are alert and committed to the fight against global warming and respect for biodiversity.
However, even as an adult, alarmist and doomsday talk can sometimes cause anxiety. Thus, it is important not to treat this subject carelessly with our children in order to avoid generating eco-anxiety in our little ones. The goal is instead to inspire and motivate positive choices.
Moreover, our children often know a lot more than we think.
They are very curious and pick up on all the information around them as they grow up in an overstimulated world. Thus, from a certain age, it is wise to educate our children before they hear or come across tragic facts that could make them lose confidence in us.
Moreover, if ecology was not a concern at the time of Maria Montessori, she nevertheless granted a very important place to nature within her pedagogy. Many of his learnings are surprisingly very relevant in the light of the 21st century. Indeed, she wrote that nature is essential to the good physical and psychological development of the child: “ None description, no picture from any book can replace the actual sight of trees in a wood with all the life going on around them. ". She has also extensively studied the work of biological and botanists (De Vries, Loeb) throughout her career.
In addition, plant materials are therefore recommended in classrooms (wood, plants, bamboo, etc.). From an early age, during outings and activities, the child learns to respect and take care of nature. Then, from 6 to 12 years old, during cosmic education, the child discovers the great laws that govern the universe and teach us humility. The child learns that the human being is only one link in a great chain. He is thus responsible for his balance.
Following the precepts of Maria Montessori is an excellent way for the child to learn to love and appreciate nature even before tackling ecological issues one day.
It is therefore a question of creating a link between the child and nature. Then, you can also insist on the importance of preserving nature by explaining the need to limit your consumption of plastic and water or to sort your waste. Teach him where the water, the energies come from. There are many books for children on the subject. It is important to keep a light and positive tone so as not to distress them.
Growing up, the child will be more informed on the subject and in search of discussions and more elaborate knowledge in keeping with current events. Then, it will be time to explain global warming and its consequences on the environment.
Maëla Lévigne, geological engineer, explains that we can start by explaining that the greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon and necessary for life, which allows heat to be retained on the surface of our planet. Then, it must be explained that this warming has greatly accelerated over the past 150 years with the development of industrial activities and transport which emit CO2.
These emissions increase the terrestrial heat and the increase of this one disturbs the climate, which can cause extreme weather phenomena, the melting of the ice, the weakening of certain species...
Emphasize that nothing is inevitable and that by taking action, the future will be joy and balance.
Highlight the initiatives implemented and the public figures who are making things happen. It will also be an opportunity to talk about scientific research on the subject and above all to set up actions on a family scale for the environment (cycling, sorting, protesting, etc.). Without disguising the reality and the content of the issues, keeping a positive and hopeful discourse allows children to motivate themselves to make things progress and in particular to project themselves into the future.