How can we help support our children and young people respond to the issue of climate change? Start with listening deeply to your children’s concerns, validating their emotions and helping them access information that is age-appropriate. Psychotherapist Dr Merle Conyer suggests beginning with asking your child what they already know and helping them express their feelings in response to this. Share information that helps inform their curiosity rather than overwhelm them. Spend time praying together. Help engage in actions together – explore nature, think about ways to live more sustainably, look for initiatives in your local communities that you can be involved with. Celebrate the ways you can make a difference as a family. Find stories of others taking action and making a difference in their own communities. Be led by your child’s interests/concerns.
Psychotherapist Dr Merle Conyer’s keynote talk at the Uniting Earth 2020 Climate Pastoral Care conference.
"Fight for Planet A: Our Climate Challenge explores how we can all reduce our individual and collective carbon emissions. This three-part documentary aims to empower and motivate Australians to take action on climate change. It's a great series for kids in years 1-6. You can watch it on ABC iview." Aurora, 10 years old
“In his 93 years, David Attenborough has visited every continent on the globe, exploring the wild places of our planet and documenting the living world in all its variety and wonder. Now, for the first time he reflects upon both the defining moments of his lifetime as a naturalist and the devastating changes he has seen. Great for kids in years 5-6 but has harder themes, be ready for conversation, watch on netflix.” Aurora, 10 years old
“What will the future bring? An Aspirational journey to discover what the future could look like if we simply embraced the best that exists today. Great for kids in years 3-6. Lots of hopeful ideas for the future. You can rent it online.” Aurora, 10 years old
Find resources to help young children connect and care for our creation
Find out how the Smith family takes action for climate together
“I think this is a great and inspiring book that kids 7 to 18 would really enjoy reading. I never knew how interesting seaweed was. From reading this book I learnt that seaweed can be made into edible plastic, into bricks and grows really fast! It can also help us fight climate change.” Archie, 8 years old
"There are lots of reasons I like this book. I like the long list of animals God created because it show how much God has done, and it makes me laugh when my parents have to take a big breath to get through the list of the animals God created. My favourite part is where the lion’s mouth opens and pops out. I’m a fan of books where I can interact with it as I read, I especially enjoy the split pages where I can make up new animals God didn’t create. The book also shows how our actions can change things for the good. This book is a good read for kids from preschool to 12 years old (and their parents)". Eamon, 11 years old
"'Rivertime' is an award-winning nature adventure book by Trace Balla. I have loved hearing about the adventures of Clancy and Uncle Egg. My favourite part was when Clancy was going swimming in the river and was trying to get up on the pier. The comic-like pictures make the book really simple and fun to read. I would recommend this book for kids 6 and up to read on their own, but it's also fun reading with an adults for kids 3 and up." Marlowe, age 8
This ABC Kids Listen podcast helps pre-school and young primary aged children connect with and learn about all the wonderful sounds in Australian nature.
GAMES
“Earthcare is a fun board game about ways to look after the Earth. There are points you earn for doing different tasks to learn about and help look after our environment. I really liked exploring the different habitats and collecting things like rubbish or glass and metal that you can earn points from recycling later in the game. I would recommend this board game for 5-12 year olds. It’s fun and I learnt lots!” Archie, 9yrs
Common Grace has supported the School Strike 4 Climate in 2018, 2019 and 2020. We are committed to standing alongside our children and young people, listening to their concerns and walking together to call for urgent action on climate change. Read more about our support for School Strike 4 Climate, specifically the reservations that some people may have about encouraging school students to “strike” from school to demand climate action.
Do you have children's resources you would recommend? We would love for you (or your little one) to send us a review to [email protected]
Thank you for joining us to #ShowYourStripes, 21 June 2022! We pray our nation’s leaders will work together to accelerate action and take big steps forward in responding to the scale and urgency in which we need to act on climate change.
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Come together with knitters from across Australia and mix your craft skills with your enthusiasm for climate justice.
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