Normalise the subject

Familiarising your child with the theme of climate change is a good idea as it will build up their resilience to it, so cause less anxiety.

You could start by including films and books with a gentle eco-theme to them in your film nights and reading lists. Films like Ice Age: The Meltdown and The Lorax are ideal, as are books like Debi Gliori’s The Trouble with Dragons and Barroux’s Where’s the Elephant? Once you’ve watched or read them, ask general questions about the messages within them to understand your children’s thoughts.  

Similarly, when climate change is mentioned on the news, try and chat about the issues discussed, be that freak storms or upcoming summits, and how they fit into the bigger picture.

Develop their understanding

Once your child knows a few facts about climate change, why not try Busy Things’ Tree World simulation game. It highlights how all the areas affected interconnect.

It’s great fun to play, which is important, but will also help your child understand the different elements in play and how we can achieve the balance between technology and nature that we’re striving for!

Check out more fun climate change activity ideas!

Delve deeper

When your child shows an interest in learning more about a particular area of climate change, harness their enthusiasm and help them find out more. It’s important not to force this, as what may seem like simply exploring a subject to us adults can sometimes feel like extra schoolwork for the child. Instead, try and be specific about what they are interested in, and explore that element further. Sometimes finding out simple facts for young children can be a challenge, but resources like Busy Things have sourced and verified all the facts and figures you’ll need already. Busy Things is offering free access to all our climate resources throughout Great Big Green Week, so take a look! See below for more details. There are obviously books on climate change too, but again, be conscious that if left to read up on something alone, it can be demotivating for the child. Instead, read up on the subject area together as a joint project!