The Importance Of Teaching Children About Trees

Whether you are a parent, childminder, or an Early Years Educator – investing in a child’s development is crucial. As we move into 2022, the whole world is making a push towards sustainability and lessening our impact on the environment.

Teaching children about trees and their role in our environment from a young age is crucial, and it will allow them to appreciate the importance of nature and will steer them towards better choices in their lives. Having a healthy respect for nature is an important part of a child’s development, and today we want to discuss trees and their importance.

Why are trees important?

Trees cover a large portion of our land, and they perform a crucial role in the maintenance of our climate, ecosystems, and air quality. Here are the reasons why trees are important in our natural world.

Trees release oxygen

Trees provide a helping hand to our atmosphere every single day, as they absorb carbon dioxide from the air and convert it into oxygen, which we all need to breathe. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, and the role trees play in removing this from the atmosphere has a massive impact on our planet. Explaining to children how trees clean our air will help them understand that trees are important and are here to help.

Trees cool the air 

Trees help to reduce the speed of wind as it travels, and as a result it also cools the air. This reduces the temperature of the atmosphere and can sow down the effect of global warming.

Trees attract wildlife

The animals we share our planet with are all important, and trees give a home to many of them. Trees house their own ecosystems with insects, birds, and fungi to keep nature strong and healthy. Taking children to a woodland and showing them the different animals, fungi, and lichen that live on trees is a great way to demonstrate their role in our world.

Trees create experiences

Every town or city has at least one park that becomes the heart of the community. From dog walkers to children, trees create a relaxing space for people to come and socialise as well as play.

Trees provide food

Many species of tree provide fruits for us to eat. Apple trees, Cherry trees, and Peach Trees are all key components of our world and they provide us with healthy food that nourishes. Showing children some of the fruits that grow on trees and allowing them to taste them will help children to appreciate the role of trees not only in nature, but in our kitchens.

Trees are an integral part of our environment, and teaching children the importance of them from an early age will help them to grow up with an appreciation for the natural world.