When reading ‘Is This My Home?’ you might notice some visual references to climate change. They are there to help you and your children start the conversation around why we must take care of our common home, the planet, and how we can fight climate change.
However, when you talk to your child about what happens in the book or use the information on this site, it is important to remember that a child’s brain works very differently from yours.
Here are a few pointers on how to adjust the way you talk about climate change to fit the age of your child.
Children aged 4-6: be a good role model
Up until the age of six, children will above all learn from what they can see, touch and hear. They will learn from what you do and copy it. They are not ready for detailed explanations.
Some good tips for kids this age would therefore be:
- Talk about the environmentally-friendly things you do every day, like recycling, riding your bike, choosing public transport or having a more plant-based diet.
- By taking green action together now, you will have great answers as to how you fight climate change when you child is old enough to ask.
- Children rely on their parents. Don’t lie to them about the problems but always reassure your child that there are grown-ups handling the issues and keep your own concerns to yourself.
Children aged 6-8: Instill hope and stay positive
Around the age of 6-7 the reasoning part of the brain develops, and children will gradually begin to understand cause and effect. They start asking ‘why’ a lot and question everything – This could be about climate change in general or regarding some of the images in the book for example.
Some good tips for kids this age would therefore be:
- When asked a climate related question, make sure you understand which answer your child is searching for to avoid letting your own concerns affect your answer.
- If you want to start a conversation about climate change yourself, start by asking ‘What do you know about climate change?’
- Use the “Easy answers to difficult questions” page on this site to explain climate change and its possible consequences.
- Children rely on their parents. Don’t lie to them about the issue. Instead make it clear that there are grown-ups handling it, and keep your own concerns to yourself.