Fostering Curiosity: Why Kids Should Learn About Wildlife

In today's fast-paced world filled with technology and routines, it's easy for kids to lose touch with the wonders of nature. But teaching kids about wildlife isn't just important for the environment—it's also great for them. Let's take a closer look at why integrating wildlife education into their learning is so crucial and how it shapes their view of the world.

Encouraging Wonder and Interest

Kids are naturally curious, and one of the best ways to nurture that curiosity is by introducing them to the amazing world of wildlife. Whether it's the majestic elephants of Africa or the busy ants in their backyard, every creature has a fascinating story to tell. Exploring wildlife enables children to cultivate a sense of awe and gratitude for the rich variety of life that exists on our planet.

Promoting Empathy and Respect

Understanding and caring about animals is a big part of wildlife education. When kids learn about the challenges animals face, like losing their homes or dealing with pollution, they start to feel empathy for them. This empathy makes them want to protect and take care of their natural environment. By teaching kids to respect wildlife, we also teach them values like kindness and compassion.

Fostering a Nature Connection

In today's world, most kids do not spend enough time outdoors. But spending time in nature is really important for their health and happiness. Wildlife education gives kids the chance to explore the outdoors, whether it's going for walks in nature, watching birds, or gardening. These experiences not only get them moving but also help them feel more connected to the natural world.

Understanding Environmental Issues

As young leaders in the making, children need to grasp the intricate connections within the environment and recognize the profound impact human actions can have on wildlife. Wildlife education teaches kids about things like ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation. Learning about topics like endangered species, deforestation, and pollution helps kids see the big picture and understand their role in protecting the planet.

Making Learning Fun

Integrating wildlife education into learning doesn't have to be boring. It can be as simple as reading books about nature, putting up bird feeders at school, or going on field trips to nature reserves. By including wildlife education in subjects like science and art, teachers can make learning more interesting and enjoyable for kids. In conclusion, learning about wildlife is important for sparking curiosity, empathy, and environmental awareness in kids. By giving them the chance to learn about and connect with the natural world, we're helping them become caring and responsible citizens of the planet. So, let's inspire the next generation to love and protect the amazing wildlife we share our world with.

Sources

Childhood By Nature

Natural Start Alliance

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Success Story – Fish Stories, One of Success and Courage

While teaching a group of fourth graders, I gave them an opportunity to exercise their public speaking skills. The lesson was not on public speaking but on fresh and saltwater fish identification. As they were working in their activity book and were all engaged, I saw the opportunity for a parallel activity instead of having them just sit there quietly.  I invited the students to come to the front and tell a favorite fishing story, true or fictional.  Many raised their hands to participate and several did, some stories long and some just a few words such as, “My grandpa caught a shark!”   A young lady by the name of Eliza raised her hand and said she had a story.  When she accepted my invitation to come up front, she just stood there and stood there with a blank stare.  At that moment, her lower lip started to quiver, her eyes showed a look of fear and she bolted out of the classroom.

I was able to call her back into the classroom and calm her down.  I knew I had a teachable moment available to me, so I took advantage of it.  I then explained to the group that speaking in public is a fear most people experience, and it can be overcome with a little practice. Eliza then agreed to start again.  This time, every eye was on her, and every ear listening intently!  When she finished her story, all the children exploded in applause and kudos for her.  Eliza beamed with pride and accomplishment.  This will be a “fishing story” of courage that will probably have a lasting impact upon her and the group. – G. Koerner


According to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy. - Jerry Seinfeld

Silently Gazing Upon God

I absolutely love reading and hearing about others interpretation of God, and His work within their lives and in the world. One of my favorite theologians is Father Richard Rohr, but sometimes he’s a little too deep for my understanding. I read his work anyway, and try to pull out the meaningful pieces that can make a difference in my life, and how I should respond to the call of God in my relationships.

Today in his daily meditation, Monday, July 10, 2017 the topic was Rebuilding on a Contemplative Foundation by Silently Gazing upon God.

This title really caught my attention, Silently Gazing upon God. Immediately it made me think of seeing God through the eyes of a child and how we see His influence in nature.

Rohr quotes Rowan Williams, the 2012 Archbishop of Canterbury by saying, “To be fully human is to be recreated in the image of Christ’s humanity; and that humanity is the perfect human 'translation' of the relationship of the eternal Son to the eternal Father, a relationship of loving and adoring self-giving, a pouring out of life towards the Other.”

Coming up is the word contemplative (noun and verb), which I like to partially define as spiritual listening. One who is contemplative is a Contemplative.

Rohr goes on to say, “To be contemplative as Christ is contemplative is to be open to all the fullness that the Father wishes to pour into our hearts. With our minds made still, and ready to receive, we are at last at the point where we may begin to grow… and we seek this not because we are in search of some private “religious experience” that will make us feel secure or holy. We seek it because in this self-forgetting gazing towards the light of God in Christ we learn how to look at one another and at the whole of God’s creation.”

One way we can experience this oneness with God directly, physically and spiritually by observing His universe in nature. We can gaze towards the light of God in Christ through His creations.

For example, in the image left we see a time-lapse image of all the stars rotating around Polaris, the North Star. I have experienced this only once in my life. The image 'Star Trails' was taken by Marjan Lazarevski, Skopje, Macedonia (formerly Yugoslavia). Photo caption: While other stars apparent positions in the sky change throughout the night, as they appear to rotate around the celestial poles, the Pole Star (Polaris) apparent positions remain virtually fixed.

I hope we will all find the time to look closely and gaze upon God through his creations, either earthly or heavenly and realize how close we are to the presence of our Creator.

gus

Considering Contemplation

A while ago i discovered that I am contemplative (verb), and even perhaps a Contemplative (noun). I know this only because of my likeness to those who call themselves that. In reality I don't truly even know what it means to be one. Follows is a textbook definition of the word and a series of quotes to describe the process. At first I thought one had to be lonely to contemplate, but for me that is not necessarily true.

Merriam Webster definition of contemplation: 1. concentration on spiritual things as a form of private devotion, 2. an act of considering with attention, 3. the act of regarding steadily

What Contemplation is not. It is not a relaxation exercise. Whilst it may contribute to one becoming relaxed, this is simply a side effect. Contemplation is therefore not a technique but instead, prayer. Contemplative prayer is not a charismatic gift. Contemplative prayer is not a Para psychological phenomenon such as precognition, out of body experiences, levitation or other extraordinary sensory or psychic phenomena. (Contemplation involves centering prayer) Centering prayer is a method of moving this developing relationship with God beyond words, beyond thoughts to the level of pure faith. - Thomas Keating Source

Below are a series of quotes that evolve from being straightforward to heady and lofty. I get lost somewhere in the middle.

Simple Thoughts on Contemplation...

“Muddy water, let stand, becomes clear.” - Lao Tzu

“A man must find time for himself. Time is what we spend our lives with. If we are not careful we find others spending it for us. . . . It is necessary now and then for a man to go away by himself and experience loneliness; to sit on a rock in the forest and to ask of himself, 'Who am I, and where have I been, and where am I going?' . . . If one is not careful, one allows diversions to take up one's time—the stuff of life.” ― Carl Sandburg

“A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in--what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars.” - Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

Complex Thoughts on Contemplation...

“Seeking the face of God in everything, everyone, all the time, and his hand in every happening; This is what it means to be contemplative in the heart of the world. Seeing and adoring the presence of Jesus, especially in the lowly appearance of bread, and in the distressing disguise of the poor.” ― Mother Teresa, In the Heart of the World: Thoughts, Stories and Prayers

“To broaden one's prospective is to push back the swirling winds of ignorance.” ― Joel T. McGrath

As we come to grips with eternity, our mortality and our relationship to God and others it causes some of us to stop and think and to consider restructuring our lives to be centered on what is most important. For me what is most important is my relationship to God and others. This is where I am and some of you may be too. God bless you in your journey. - gus