We're thrilled about the fabulous turnout for this event. 36 people total showed up for "Talking with Children about Climate Change". We had a lively discussion about how to discuss climate change with children of various ages, talked about ways we could take action with our families, and shared some tips and resources for ways to navigate this overwhelming issue. These are some very tough questions and we thank everyone for being open to being vulnerable together. While we may never have all the answers, we at least will have a community to lean on as we muddle through it all. 
These conversations are certainly ongoing and have already brought up additional questions to bring into future Mother Up! gatherings. Some related questions that came up included addressing grief, decreasing consumer culture in our families, and how to not shame other kids and families. We look forward to exploring these challenging questions with all of your as we continue to build community together.
Mother Up! Montpelier's monthly dinner and discussion evenings happen the 4th Tuesday of each month in our very own vestry here at UCM. 5:30-7:30pm.
Some of the resources we shared are here: ( I still need to make some of the links live. )
"How to Have a Hard Talk with Kids About our Changing Environment" -- an insightful interview with David Sobel about not terrifying kids with doomsday data
General Development Guidelines for Raising Kids that Care about Climate Change
- Birth - Kindergarten or even up to age 8 ~ Let your child/grandchild/students fall in love with nature! The focus should be on building a bond with nature. As much as possible focus on direct experience with the outdoors. Books are great reinforcement. Free play with friends and family and even by oneself (with caregivers supervising from nearby) are essential. Great hands-on stewardship activities include caring for a garden, picking up litter, planting trees.
There’s generally consensus that we limit young children exposure to dire scientific reports or images. Discussing the heavy, detailed reality of climate change with very young children opens them to fear and grief, yet they are unable to process what could possibly be done to minimize the damages that scientists predict.
- Sometime 1st grade-3rd grade ~ Timing depends on when you feel they are ready. Many recommend that you wait until you hear them asking questions about Climate Change based on something they’ve learned or overheard or seen, or questions like “Why are we walking instead of driving?” … have a conversation that teaches them the basics. NPR’s Life Kit program offers this as a model:
"Humans are burning lots and lots of fossil fuels for energy, in planes, in cars, to light our houses, and that's putting greenhouse gases into the air. Those gases wrap around the planet like a blanket and make everything hotter. A hotter planet means bigger storms, it melts ice at the poles so oceans will rise, it makes it harder for animals to find places to live. And it's a really, really big problem, and there are a lot of smart people working hard on it, and there's also lots that we can do as a family to help."
Make sure to pair any discussion of Climate Change with some actions that will help you AND your children feel empowered to be part of the solution. Continue connection time with nature.
4th grade - 6th grade and older ~ Depending on the child, they can start to handle more complex science. If they are wanting more information, help them find sources, without letting them get overwhelmed with dire predictions. It is still important to limit their exposure to doomsday accounts of human extinction. They can engage more fully in activities to counter climate change. It’s a great time to help them find other young people who are interested in doing positive action in their communities. This age group can be powerful spokespeople for the cause. It’s important to also make sure they take breaks to just be a kid, to just have fun exploring all the wonderful people and aspects of being alive in the world. Continue connection time with nature.
From NPR “How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate Change”
1. Break the Silence
- Talk with other adults! Share our feelings, fears, questions, and challenges with each other.
2. Give your Kids the Basic Facts
Suggested script, based on conversations with several educators and psychologists, that could be used for kids as young as four or five:
"Humans are burning lots and lots of fossil fuels for energy, in planes, in cars, to light our houses, and that's putting greenhouse gases into the air. Those gases wrap around the planet like a blanket and make everything hotter.
A hotter planet means bigger storms, it melts ice at the poles so oceans will rise, it makes it harder for animals to find places to live.
And it's a really, really big problem, and there are a lot of smart people working hard on it, and there's also lots that we can do as a family to help."
3. Get Outdoors
- Let them get dirty and fall in love with nature. Through play and outdoor exploration, teach kids to appreciate the web of relationships in nature
4. Focus on Feelings
- Listen to how our children are feeling and thinking about the climate crisis and help them manage those feelings.
- Do positive activities as a family, spend time in nature, have a break.
5. Take Action as a Family
- Compost,
- Pick up trash
- Build a solar oven
- Write a letter to a representative or school administration
- Bring your kids to a protest or meeting
- Support teenage activists
- Don't push any particular action onto our children
6. Find Hope
- Frame problems so we can continue to hope and not collapse into cynicism, apathy, despair
- Reassure them that adults are on the case
- Remind kids to enjoy being kids!
- Celebrate victories together
Talking With Children About Climate Change ~ Jan. 28, 2020
Blessing of the meal:
I thank the Earth for feedin’ my body,I thank the Sun for warmin’ my bones,
I thank the Trees for the air that I breathe, I thank the Water for nourishin’ my soul.
Closing Song:
Chorus: You gotta put one foot in front of the other and lead with love,
Put one foot in front of the other and lead with love. (repeat entire chorus)
(Verses are call and response) 1. Don’t give up hope, you’re not alone
Don’t you give up, keep moving on.
2. Lift up your eyes, don’t you despair
Look up ahead, the path is there
3. I know you’re scared, and I’m scared too
But here I am, right next to you
Other Resources:
Books:
- The Parents' Guide to Climate Revolution-Mary DeMocker
- Last Child in the Woods-Richard Louv
- Simplicity Parenting: Using the Power of Less to Raise Happy, Secure Children – Kim John Payne
- Drawdown-Paul Hawken
- Dirt to Soil-Gabe brown
Websites:
NPR
Climate Reality Project
- Breaks down ways to talk with children based on different types of personalities: Pollution Preventer, Climate Change Warrior, Habitat Hero, Biodiversity champion
- Includes conversation starters for each personality type
Chicago Academy of Sciences
- Breaks it down by age (2-5, 6-9, 10-12)
- Guiding questions and activities
Carbon Cowboys
- Collection of videos on regenerative agriculture
Kids Stories:
Videos:
- Call to action video: https://youtu.be/aUCD_24cygQ
- Watch Climate 101 with Bill Nye
Our Climate Our Future
- Free educational video series, great for teens
- Videos of youth sharing climate stories from around the country
- Resources for educators
Upcoming Events:
Mother Up! Montpelier meets monthly at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7:30PM.
5th Annual Festival of Trees and Tu B’Shevat Celebration
Sun. Feb 9, 1-4pm at North Branch Nature Center. Free. Fun activities for all ages, indoors and outdoors. Find out more on Facebook Event page.
Earth Day Activities at the Unitarian Church
Sat. April 18th - Visit our FB page for more details closer to the date.
In Bloom Conference: Promising Practices in Nature-Based Early Childhood Education
Saturday, May 16, 2020
hosted by North Branch Nature Center
Moretown Elementary School
Contact:
Join our facebook group - Mother Up! Families Rise Up for Climate Action
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