Why is Environmental Education Important?

"Tomorrow's leaders need to be equipped for tomorrow's challenges." 

Today's generation of children spend majority of their time indoors. According to Hofferth & Sadberg, children spend 27% of their time each week watching television and only 1% of their time indoors. It is extremely important for parents and educators to encourage environmental education to their children. We need to reconnect our children with nature. If they do not understand or value nature our future environment may be in danger. Less exposure to the outdoors has also caused a number of health problems for our children such as obesity, hyperactivity, and diminished use of senses. "Our schools need more encouragement, resources, and time to devote attention to environmental education."

I have first hand experience with environmental education. My toddler class is required to go outside everyday depending on the weather. When my class goes outside some kids run around, some play with the sand toys, some cling to the teachers, some climb on the fence, and some notice their natural surroundings. Some children are naturalistic learners and learn best from their environment. I always try to encourage the kids to explore their surroundings. I sing the song, "The leaves are falling down" so they noticed the leaves which teaches them about the seasons. I point out birds and planes in the sky. I encourage them to play with the dirt and grass. There is one little girl in particular who is intrigued by all of the items of nature outside. She is constantly collecting leaves, rocks, sticks, and grass. She is one of our kids who is cognitively and vocally more advanced. 

Some ways to encourage environmental education:

• Go outside
• Read books about the outdoors and nature
• Do environmentally friendly craft activities such as drinking coasters with coastal pictures (Pinterest)
• Be green! (Turn off the classroom lights, conserve water)

Works Cited

What is Waldorf Education?

Waldorf education is the full hands on experience of music, dance, theater, writing, literature, legends,
and myths. As stated on the website "Waldorf students cultivate a lifelong love of learning as well as
the intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual capacities to be individuals certain of their paths and
to be of service to the world."Rudolf Steiner developed this learning style in 1919. This style addresses the needs of the growing child. This type of education highly promotes learning as an art. The Waldorf curriculum is constructed to respond to three different phases of childhood: birth to 6 or 7, 7-14, and 14-18 years old. It is believed that by providing age appropriate materials to students they can grow and learn healthily. Imagination is highly promoted in the curriculum rather than learning each subject by itself. The educational philosophy's goal is to produce independent, responsible, and free students.
I do agree that a hands on and lenient curriculum is a successful learning style. I do not believe it should have to be practiced in separate schools. I think Waldorf Education should be incorporated into public school curriculum. I do not believe that Steiner would agree with the Banking Concept at all. He does not look at students in a general concept. He understands each student to be their own individual person who learns things in their own way. He would not agree with just piling information into a students head and expecting them to learn.