“We live in a culture that dismisses the significance of an ecological identity, a culture that encourages us to move around, rather than by intimate connection to the land, the sky, the air. Any place can be home.” Ann Pelo mentioned this quote in the book Rethinking Early Childhood Education. This explains our generation people don’t really have a place called home. I believe we are taking things for granted. For example, in Hawaii people built golf courses, homes, buildings, and hotels on secret Hawaiian lands. Technology, economy, government, and political reasons are destroying many Hawaiians that cherish their lands and nature.
Another example, countries building transportation, cutting down tree, and wasting water. These actions affect our environment and health. If we just conserve, recycle, and reuse items, we can teach children and others great habit to save our earth.
As teachers we need to teach children how to connect to a place, find their ecological identity, and help shape themselves to their own culture and social identity. We need to show children different emotions, perspectives, and use collaboration to start this journey. When children have these connections they begin to be confident with learning and comfortable in their own skin.
Ways to support or help engage these concepts are to read books and have activities that relate to endangered species, rainforest, pollution, recycling, and different cultural connections to the earth. From doing these activities and reading children broaden their perspectives about our environment and lifestyles. Children will begin to appreciate where they live and contribute great actions on how to take care of our environment.
Hi Bree,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the lost of respect on our ecology. There seems to be a disconnect between people and the environment. Not too many people are thinking about conserving and sustaining what's left of our resources. Industrialization and progress is being blamed for this. The need to go back to the a simpler living is being advocated by environmentalist but I do not know how the majority of the people would like to do that. Will people be willing to truly give up a lifestyle they have known all their lives? What might the economic implications be if people start living simpler?
Hi Bree,
ReplyDeleteYour discussion of the development of identity is something I have been considering lately in regard to my own research. In considering both gender and reporting methods, I wonder how identity is supported in discussion of children's understanding of gender as well as how children are depicted through narratives, report cards, and -- what I am calling -- preschool stories.
Should teachers be responsible for supporting children in creating their identities? What current school structures support identity development? How does a sense of place contribute to our identities as teachers and the identities of our students?
Jeanne
I totally agree with your discussion. I think the children of today need to be aware of the damage being done to the earth due to the waste and quality of air and the endangered animals. How can you make an impact on children about the importance of our earth? How do you deal with children that want to be green but the lifestyl of the family doesn't support it?
ReplyDeleteHello Breena,
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you mentioned about destroying land of nature. We hardly realize how much we wasted water and cut down trees to build houses and buildings. I strongly feel that it could be a task for educators to teach the next generation how important to take care of our land through reading books and doing activities. I like taking children to "Nature Walk." It is also our task to talk about how to create a better environment.
Hi Breena,
ReplyDeleteIt's such a sad issue that many homested lands are owned by the government and there is a waiting list for Hawaiians to live on their rightfully owned land. But teaching to respect nature starts with the children. When children are taught to appreciate what they are surrounded by and what nature provides, as they grow older, the knowledge will be embedded within their minds. By being examples of taking care of our "aina" the children will grow up with that mentality that they need to take care of the Earth. But how can children appreciate nature if their own role models at home don't?
Ashley
Hi Breena!
ReplyDeleteI like what you said: “As teachers we need to teach children how to connect to a place, find their ecological identity, and help shape themselves to their own culture and social identity.” This really will help students get in touch with their own identity. The school (Loveland Academy) that I work at takes some students to an Orchid Nursery in Kaneohe, believe it or not, I notice how happy our students are when they are at the farm. Our school also has a hiking program every other Fridays. These kinds of programs helps our students get in touch with Mother Nature.
I do believe that teachers can help children relate to their environment. It is important for children to connect to their ecological identity. You suggests some ways that can support these concepts. What are some suggestions for children to learn these concepts within their own community? Each community in our state alone can be very different. My school is in Wahiawa and access to a beach isn't as available as some other communities. How can we develop these children's ecological identity?
ReplyDelete