As parents, we realise that if we want our children to love and protect nature (and our future), the first step is to provide them with regular positive experiences with nature. This also provides the extra benefit of helping them learn better in school. These are what our children enjoy:
1. Playgrounds in parks: They love those in Australia, Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden in Singapore, and Lake Gardens in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2. Cycling in parks: They do this at Lake Gardens.
3. Visiting well-maintained bird parks, zoos and aquariums: Since it’s not easy to spot various types of wildlife in our daily life, we bring them to learn about animals and develop a love for them.
4. Trekking in forests: Thanks to volunteers who constructed trails, we are able to bring our children to trek in the Kota Damansara forest.
5. Playing at beaches: The sand and the sea has a powerful attraction for young children. Since Singapore is an island and Malaysia has beautiful beaches, we try to spend some time at the beach every year.
6. Visiting mangrove swamps: According to National University of Singapore, Southeast Asia has the greatest diversity of mangrove species in the world. However, these have experienced extensive deforestation and are leading to floods. We have visited the mangrove forests at Kuala Selangor.
7. Climbing a mountain: Interestingly, when Jae saw a mountain at Tasmania at 6 years old, the first thing he wanted to thing was to climb to the top. Another power of nature!
When children love nature, they are more likely to be motivated to protect it and help combat issues like climate change. To have a bigger impact, we need to start them young.
Where are the places of nature that you bring your child to?
Feel free to share with us.
P.S. Check out owl future’s stainless steel thermal bottles here.
