TIME TOGETHER is the gift of grandparenting! Every day along the way…sharing moments of work and play.
Every age and every stage of their growth and development…all their interests and wishes…we, as grandparents, celebrate the joy of being together and know that every day is special. Your perspectives expand when you see life through their eyes.
AGES and STAGES of DISCOVERY
2-3 year olds: COPY CATS They watch you and absorb your words and actions…nothing goes unnoticed.
4-6 year olds: EXPLORERS There are Interested in everything. Their own ideas emerge and they start putting the facts together.
6-8 year olds: DISCOVERORS Their knowledge is so impressive as they start to understand the cause and effect the environmental issues.
What Can We Do?
As grandparents, we have a unique role to play in being a part of the green journey with our grandchildren: INFORMATION and INSPIRATION.
This website provides links to an excellent resource on World Environmental Problems that need our help. Explore and gather the facts. Informed Grandparents can inspire! There are so many LITTLE ways you and your grandchildren can make a BIG impact!
When we all join together, it is as easy as A-B-C.
A: AWARENESS IS THE ANSWER. Learn all you can about where you live.
B: BE A BELIEVER that you can make a difference.
C: CLAIM A CAUSE (or 2 or 3) and COMMIT to making a CHANGE.
FIND the GREEN FACTS:
EVERYTHING CONNECTS
Why Nature Matters
The mission of Everything Connects is to inspire you, educate you, and empower you to make a difference in your life, for all life, and for all ecological foundations of life. Watch the video...it says it all
https://www.everythingconnects.org
How Large is Your Carbon Footprint?
The size of your carbon footprint indicates how much impact you have on the environment
- NASA: www.climatekids.nasa.gov/how-to-help
- FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: https:// www.footprintcalculator.org
ENERGY STAR: [PDF] How Big Is Your Carbon Footprint?
www.energystar.gov/ia/products/globalwarming/downloads/GoGreen_Activities%20508_compliant_small.pdf
LEARNING TOGETHER…..QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
THE 4 W’S WHAT WHY WHEN WHO
Every GREEN activity you do comes with the 4 W Questions. The When and Who are the most important focus. And the answers are easy!
WHEN? NOW WHO? ALL OF US
How do we as grandparents learn about all the environmental problems facing us? Information is everywhere. Simple facts and your simple acts are the best teaching and learning tools you have!
It is not WHAT you are teaching…it is HOW you are reaching grandchildren by the things they observe watching you live GREEN.
It is not what you know or don’t know. It is about where to find the information to share with these young discoverers. Do the research together.
NASA KIDS and NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS provide resources for environmental topics plus ecology activities and games.
https://climatekids.nasa.gov/kids-guide-to-climate-change
http://www.kids.nationalgeographic.com
KIDS FOR SAVING EARTH.ORG Kids for Saving Earth provides educational materials, posters, Earth music and a highly acclaimed web site featuring printable environmental education .
Ordinary tasks are opportunities to share GREEN wisdom.
COOKING and GARDENING
DISCOVERY WALKS and NATURE TALKS
TRAILS to EXPLORE in parks or the shore
Everyday Adventures are fun times introduce ECO-VOCABULARY:
GROCERY SHOPPING:
ORGANIC products and produce
LOCALLY GROWN and SUSTAINABLY made items.
CSA COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE
Checking out the PACKAGING is a perfect time to discuss RECYCLING, one use plastic and wasteful use of materials.
INGREDIENTS: PRESERVATIVES GMO ETHNIC specialties
FARMER’S MARKETS *See Cooking Green
LOOK OUT THE WINDOW
TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE
I see the sky so blue
Smiling over you.
I see the clouds of white that disappear at night.
I see the leaves on the trees
Swaying in the breeze.
Tell me what you see!
No grandchild is too young to look out the window and be introduced to the beauty of nature. Point out the birds, flowers, squirrels and trees and all the many things visible from a window! Looking and seeing together in the beginning of awareness of the world around us.
THE WORLD AROUND US
Outdoor adventures are perfect grandparent activities to celebrate nature and the gifts of creation. Every faith tradition has nature connections; Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.
Religious scriptures and traditions invite us to recognize the Creator’s handiwork in the beauty of nature that surrounds us. As we show gratitude for the gifts of creation it connects us to how our actions affect the environment. People who practice Eco-Spirituality, faith is connected directly to the natural world and humankind’s place in it.
Creation speaks to us through nature’s sacred moments of connection and gratitude.
STOP, LOOK and LISTEN
STOP: Take your time to look
Can you see it?
Make a list : Sunlight through trees, sparkling water, rainbows, seasons changing, flowers blooming
STOP: Take your time to listen
Can you hear it?
Make a list: Wind whispering through the trees, bees buzzing, birds singing, crickets chirping, frogs croaking, squirrels chattering
CHILDREN AND NATURE.ORG https://www.childrenandnature.org/contact-us/
REGULAR TIME OUTDOORS HELPS CHILDREN THRIVE. But over the past few generations, childhood has moved indoors. On average, today’s kids spend up to 44 hours per week in front of a screen, and less than 10 minutes a day playing outdoors. And for too many kids, regular and safe access to nature is determined by race, income, identity, ability and postal code.
A WALK IN THE PARK
A walk any time is an adventure in observation. Each child will see different things and see things differently. The youngest children will create imaginary scenarios to go along with the time and place, older children will use their observation powers to find the unexpected treasures! What do you need for a day in the park? NOTHING! (Except water and wipes!) But as grandparents, preparing and packing is all part of the adventure!
FAVORITE FIVE TRAIL MX
Each grandchild will have unique recipes for their special mix.
SCAVENGER and TREASURE HUNTS
MAKE-A-MAP TREASURE HUNT
Ages 8-12
Google Maps work for older kids
I draw an outline of the park or area. I include boundaries
trees , paths and trails and lake or stream.
I take photos of all parts of the area…anything recognizable to be the clues… .(in a yard it is easy to have plants, deck, mailbox) Pine cones, rocks, tree branches low to the ground, shells on the beach (There are snail shells in Minnesota) Sandpiles, playground (clues can be taped under the swing seat and the clue can say High in the Sky for example)
Have photos developed at a I hour place (Walgreens for example) Make one collage sheet of the photos. Cut the individual photos into puzzle pieces… put each puzzle in an envelope…number envelopes. Make a guide for yourself. Make a plan on the order to hide the clues
Hide the clues and write them down so you know where they are
CLUE 1 Give each child a map Star stickers are fun to mark the place they find the clue.
Start the hunt with an invitation: We are going on a treasure hunt Come and join the fun… There will be some special clues and a prize for everyone.
Child opens Clue 1 It is a puzzle of where Clue 2 can be found Put the Puzzle together. Go to where the photo leads to Clue 2
Clue 2 and all clues after are puzzles of the photos leading them through all the clues.
Last clue is the Treasure or tells where the Treasure can be found by having a whole picture of a new place in the park or yard.
R-E-C-Y-C-L-E RECYCLE ME
When a pile of trash in the park I see
It always says… RECYCLE ME!
When I see paper under a tree
It always says… RECYCLE ME!
Plastic bottles piling up all around
In the water and on the ground.
Waiting for you and waiting for me
It always says…RECYCLE ME!
If you want to combine your nature time with “Clean Up“, it’s an easy addition
or choose a special “Pick Up Day “
R-E-C-Y-C-L-E ME
PICK-UP PREPARATIONS
PICK UP AND SORT GAME: Pick up what items you find, put them in large trash bag and sort into the proper recycling bags in the car.
YOU WILL NEED: Box in the trunk of the car that can hold 4 paper bags upright.
Label bags: Plastic, Paper, Glass and Trash
** Do not allow children to pick up food scraps or glass bottles.
Disposable gloves
Grabber tool…optional
Large trash bag
BOOK LIST
GIFTS OF CREATIOIN
God’s Gifts
God made the Ocean
God Made the Rain Forest
God Made the World
Thank You God, For Everything
The World God Made
Things I Know
Lianna La Rocca
Sarah Jean Collins
Sarah Jean Collins
Sarah Jean Collins
August Gold Wendy Halperin
Hannah and Nathan Anderson
Clay Anderson
Climate Change for Babies Chris Ferrie
What is Climate Change
I Have the Right to Save My Planet
Katherine Petrou
Gail Herman
Alain Serres
OUR RESPONSIBILITY HOW CAN WE HELP?
BOOK LIST
Children of the Earth, Remember
Dear Children of the Earth
Not For Me, Please!
I choose to Act Green
One Child, One Planet
S is for Save the Planet
We Are Water Protectors
What Does It Mean to Be GREEN?
Why Should I Save Water?
Schim Schimmel
Schim Schimmel
Maria Godsey
Bridget McGovern Llewellyn
Brad Herzog
Carol Lindstrom
Rana DiOrio
Shweta Sinha
LOOK TO THE LIBRARY
PICTURE BOOKS
To Change a Planet, by Christina Soontornvat
This is one of my personal favorites on the subject of climate change. Beautiful pictures illustrate how small actions can add up to great damage, and how individuals can help reverse climate change.
Just a Worm, by Marie Boyd
This colorful book explores the role that worms and other insects play in keeping gardens healthy. It demonstrates the concept of interdependence while introducing facts about the natural world.
My Grandfather's Song, by Nguyen Quang Phung
This picture book takes a personal approach to the environment, exploring a single family's connection to their land, their home, and each other.
My Big Book of Outdoors, by Tim Hopgood
This activity book offers suggestions for ways families with young children can enjoy the outdoors in all seasons.
EARLY READERS
Project Earth, by Carol Kim
In this early chapter book (for grades 1-3), a young girl learns about climate change, but the adults in her life get in the way of her efforts to save energy.
The Tiny Seed, by Eric Carle
The early reader (grades K-2), describes a plant's life cycle through the seasons.
Kids Who Are Saving the Planet, by Laurie Calkhoven
This early reader (grades 1-3), shows many ways children can take action to help the environment.
UPPER ELEMENTARY
Ecology for Kids : Science Experiments and Activities, by Liz Heinecke
This book for ages 7 and up combines biographies of notable environmental scientists with experiments families can do at home.
Plants to the Rescue, by Vikram Baliga
This informational book for ages 8 and up examines the role plants play in the environment and surprising new uses for plants, like detecting landmines and cleaning oil spills.
Two Degrees, by Alan Gratz
This middle-grade novel explores the potential effects of climate change, as three characters struggle through three different environmental disasters.
The First Rule of Climate Club, by Carrie Firestone
In this novel for ages 9 and up, a middle schooler starts a climate club and begins to notice all the ways people in her suburban community waste energy and resources.
How Green Are You?
Take the quiz and find more ways to LIVE GREEN.
How green are your grandparents?
How green are your grandchildren?