Kids & Earth Day: Why April 22 Should Teach Children Not To Fear Science And Progress

Earth Day is an annual global celebration that is designed to raise an appreciation for the environment and the Earth at large. While caring for the planet and its resources is a valuable focus, children should also be taught Earth Day with the right perspective about science.

She Knows recalls that Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970 by around 20 million people in the US. Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson, who founded Earth Day, stressed on the attention that each person should give to the care of the planet. "We only have one earth, so we have to take care of her." Sen. Gaylord Nelson said.

Resources of the planet Earth are finite and care for the planet should be shared between the current and the future generations. Yet parents and educators should also pay attention to balance. In terms of the message that children imbibe from Earth day, balance between resource preservation and responsible use should be observed.

The Federalist makes a case of the apprehension and wariness that result among the young. A lack of balance by which children are taught about science and progress in relation to the environment is just as harmful. The bottomline, according to the site, is that children should not be made to feel apprehensive about science and human progress.

She Knows points out that children learn from adults by example. Earth Day then is a strong avenue through which parents can impact the values and practice of the young. The media outlet recommends starting children off with simple steps that they can build on as they grow up.

While proponents say that everyday should be Earth Day, parents can help children understand that the way forward is not to regress. Rather appreciation of the progress that mankind has made should be balanced by understanding of responsible use of resources. Instead, with avenues such as Earth Day, children can learn a responsible use of science to effect sustainable progress.