This is a guest post by Michelle Parkes
When I was at school, we touched a little on climate change, but it was a ‘way in the future issue’. Something we could put off; there’d be a solution eventually, surely? It’s taken incredible people like Greta Thunberg and Sir David to really raise awareness of the monumental environmental issues we face. The planet I want to pass down to my children has an uncertain future. Which is why you should do your part to inspire your kids to learn the world!
Over the last few years, I started to make significant changes to my personal output. From energy providers to plastic reduction and litter picking; something that has rubbed off on my young children! There was that one time my then 4 year old strutted off to tell off a family in the supermarket for buying bottled water. “Plastic bottles kill whales you know!”. I’m so proud of his strong environmental voice. A passionate advocate for wildlife, he came home in tears one day after learning at school about the desperate plight of orangutans in Borneo.
Let’s be honest, climate change is a pretty scary topic. It can be hard to tackle these vitally important issues with youngsters in a positive manner. Which is why I love Earth Cubs so much!
Earth Cubs launched last year and was born from a desire to make planet saving exciting, entertaining and achievable. Characters such as Nigel the Nervous Narwhal and Antonio the Anteater cover topics as diverse as deforestation and sea levels rising. All designed to create awe and wonder in the natural world.
The educational app allows you to create your own Earth Cub and visit environments such as the Amazon Rainforest and the City of London. Explore by picking up bananas, or plastic bottles and take part in phonics puzzles, creative challenges and maths problems. The website is full of activities, comics, videos and lesson plans for teachers.
Aimed at children aged 3-7, all resources are free. Soon to launch will be a badge system that will plant trees as levels are completed; linking real-world learning with planet saving. It’s about empowering children by cultivating a love of the environment and showing them how they can make a positive difference in the world.
Why not try out some awesome activities!
Make a nature crown
Use nature to build a crown fit for a King or Queen!
Make an Arctic habitat
Make your own blue wiggly spaghetti!
Design a car of the future
Use your imagination to create a clean car of the future!
Michelle Parkes and her children
Michelle Parkes, Head of Marketing Earth Cubs.
Mum to 9 year old Ollie and 7 year old Flynn