Designing and teaching children’s climate change education programme

Back in late 2019 when ClimateYouChange was in its infancy, group members contributed to the group plan, whereupon priorities were finalised. One such priority and aim was to include children’s climate change education as part of the group offer. Owing to working on various projects this was not realised until now!

In July of this year, group Founder, Celia, met youth coordinator, Joseph, at a local event. She told him about the group’s work and invited him to join the group. Celia suggested that ClimateYouChange could contribute children’s climate change education at youth sessions (that he was due to run) which was met with a positive response.

Joseph subsequently became a ClimateYouChange member. Later in the year he suggested involving the group in a children’s Christmas holiday programme, alongside activities such as arts and crafts, cookery, indoor sports etc. which he was schedules to run.

This was for his work at the Renewal Programme, a Newham based charity focused on assisting and empowering members of the community facing challenges such as food poverty, housing problems, language barriers etc.

As part of the work they do, free support is given in building new skills and confidence which also extends to their youth programme. Families in hardship additionally benefit from help with holiday childcare, with children attending their programmes receiving a warm meal.

After research and careful consideration, Celia drew up a children’s climate change education programme with a range of activities to be carried out over the holiday period, culminating in a climate change game and prize.

Each activity was designed to teach young people about the climate crisis in a clear, assimilable fashion, without scaring them. We focused on positive messaging and young people having agency with fun, practical, and engaging activities.

ClimateYouChange’s programme was created to cater for an age 8 – 12-year-old age group. Celia had wanted to involve other ClimateYouChange members in the delivery but was asked to singularly represent the group, alongside Renewal Programme youth team, for this first time working with the Renewal Programme, and the pilot for the ClimateYouChange education programme designed for children.

ClimateYouChange’s initial experience of working with youth was a success, with children showing positive levels of engagement and keenness to demonstrate their knowledge of this crucial subject.

The fun, interactive nature of our programme provides the foundation upon which we can develop further climate change education initiatives for young people. The group look forward to continuing this as part of our wider work and building upon this successfully delivered pilot!