The Children's Loving Nature Handbook is based on research by J. Ruckert, Ph.D, "Generation Conservation: Children's developing folkbiological and moral conceptions of protecting endangered species" this handbook give three ways to teach children how to love the earth and take care of nature.

2. based on “Generation conservation: Children’s Developing
folkbiological and moral conception of protecting
endangered species” by Jolina Ruckert, Ph.D.
Three ways to engender love for &
stewardship of nature in children.

3. Children approach nature
in three ways.

4. 1Anthropocentric: Nature has
a moral standing independent
of the moral standing for
humans.

5. 2Biocentric-Ecocentric: Ecosystems
and the critters that live within
them are interdependant and have a
value independent of humans.

6. 3Anthropomorphic: Nature has
a moral standing just like the
moral standing for humans.

7. Younger children
are more likely
to use the first
approach,
anthropocentric.

8. For preschool and kindergarten aged
children, the natural world has a
right to be just because it is (a
priori).

9. 1st
& 2nd
graders are
more likely to use the
second approach,
Biocentric-Ecocentric.

10. For 1st
and 2nd
graders, animals and
ecosystems need each other and have a
right to exist.

11. Older children are more likely
to use the third approach,
Anthropomorphic.

12. For 4th
and 5th
graders, the moral
standing for animals and ecosystems to
exist is like that for humans.

13. What does this mean?

14. With very little children, focus on
appreciating and learning the beauty of
nature.
It’s an age of discovery. Help them
discover animals and plants.

15. With 1st
and 2nd
graders, focus on
animals and their ecosystems.
They are discovering what systems are
and how they work. Help them understand
the interconnections within ecosystems.

16. With older children, help them
understand the connections between
humans and animals and our
ecosystems.
They are figuring out their relationship to
others in the world. Help them see that they
are of the earth and part of nature.

17. A sustainable future is
in our hands.

18. Children are our future.

19. All beings deserve happiness,
well-being and a sustainable
planet.

20. happycounts.org