It is in the news every day, from climate change to disappearing species, and we need to do something to reverse these trends. But how do we encourage children to not only care but also take action?
Curiosity, care and compassion for our natural world come from early contact with nature. A sense of wonder, awe and fascination moves children to act, while painting a disastrous picture of the future easily overwhelms a child, and it is easy to feel that it is too difficult to change anything. Some things that help nature may be more inconvenient, like walking to school, and if a too-dark picture is painted, it may be tricky to motivate a child.
An emotional connection with nature increases a child’s sense of responsibility toward nature. Yet, many children spend very little time in nature. They may spend of their childhood in cities, where green spaces and parks are rare. This lack of contact with nature may not only have an impact on the child’s health and physical well-being, it may also impact on the way they care for the environment.
So what is it exactly about being in nature that influences a child to develop an environmental concern? Well, researchers are not sure, but children seem to identify with animals and nature from a young age and spending time in nature may further encourage this, positively impact their willingness to engage in “green behaviour” and to care for the environment. Fun activities in nature like hiking, swimming, and cloud spotting are gifts of experiencing nature.
Nature is a playground. Inspecting dirt and making mud cakes is more interesting than plastic toys, and it builds a curiosity and fascination with nature that may translate into a desire to protect it.
Raising a child who has a connection to nature and who honestly cares about it costs lots of Love and Time!
Featured photo Phillip Put
Frequently Asked Questions
What is biomimicry?
Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature for solutions, then applying what we learn to design and problem-solving. Instead of inventing from scratch, it means studying how plants, animals, and ecosystems have already solved a challenge — like staying cool, collecting water, or absorbing carbon — and adapting that strategy for human use.
How does biomimicry help address climate change?
Nature has been adapting to extreme conditions for billions of years, so many organisms already hold working solutions to problems we now face at a larger scale — cooling buildings without electricity (termite mounds), collecting water in drought (the Namib beetle), protecting coastlines from storms (mangrove roots), and capturing carbon (corals, forests, kelp). Biomimicry means studying those solutions and applying the same principles to human design.
How can children get involved in biomimicry?
Children don’t need special training to think like a biomimicrist — just curiosity and a habit of asking “how does nature solve this?” Simple ways to start include a backyard scavenger hunt for nature’s patterns, a “design-an-animal” challenge for a changing climate, or building a small model (like a passive-cooling structure or a water collector) inspired by something they’ve observed outdoors.
Is biomimicry only for scientists and engineers?
No — biomimicry is as much a mindset as a profession. Anyone can practice it by observing nature closely and asking design questions. Professional biomimicry practitioners apply it in architecture, materials science, and engineering, but the same core skill — careful observation followed by “what if we built it that way?” — is exactly what this post’s classroom and family activities are designed to build in children.
Åsa Jomård
In 2015, Åsa completed a course in Biomimicry: A Sustainable Design Methodology at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. With over 10 years of experience exploring nature for inspiration and as a former member of Ben, Biomimicry Education Network, she brings both academic background and creative teaching experience to her work. Her materials seamlessly integrate stories, nature observations, and design challenges, making them perfect for inquiry-led learning in early primary contexts.
AI was used as a Thinking Partner.