I believe kids need contact with nature and love for animals — as much as they can get. It is a way for them to connect back with their roots, with mother Earth. This is especially true for children that grow up in the city, where natural habitats have vastly given way to buildings, streets and railways. Animals provide a bridge for them to get to know wildlife, observe the natural laws of balance and order, and understand the complexity of life itself.
Actually, this does not only apply to children, is applies to everybody.
Without that connection, appreciation for nature, love for animals and respect for our home planet, are lost. This is evident from the amount of pain and suffering has been inflicted to our environment in the last century.
Developing love for animals
One of the most important aspects of teaching, is leading — not ruling. As parents, by showing love to animals, children will naturally learn and copy affection.
One of the most effective ways to show love is by owning a pet at home. I am by no means talking about imprisoning animals, but rather sharing the home with other fellow sentient beings. Humans can create unique relationships with their pets, and these kinds of interspecies friendship are nothing more than miraculous.
At home, we share our little garden with a small group of greek tortoises (testudo hermanni). A tiny fence was necessary to keep them safe and sound. We dug up the whole garden for them, providing shelter, food and water. When friends visit us, they’d say It’s like tortoise paradise
— which is nothing less than what they deserve. You might think that tortoise are unapproachable and shy, but the opposite is the case. Whenever we appear in their territory, they’d immediately come out to greet, let us touch their heads and shells; and of course to check if we have any food for them.
The children engage with the tortoise, touch them, watch them, observe their behavior and ask many questions. It’s simply beautiful.
Children are the future
Ultimately, we put the fate of our future into the hands of our children. I wish to grow old in a world where human beings embrace mother Earth — not fight it — and that’s exactly what children learn to be with this kind of affection and connection.
Nature is our teacher, Earth our mother, animals our friends, and we treat them like enemies. But it mustn’t be that way…
Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.
Malala Yousafzai