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Children and Nature Awareness Month – April 2024

Children and Nature Awareness Month is celebrated all through April and is aimed at creating a connection between children and nature. A large portion of the younger generation has no understanding of how to safeguard the environment because they spend so much time indoors and in front of a screen. Inspiring natural exploration in youngsters fosters a lifelong appreciation for and stewardship of their surroundings. As a result, educating children about the need to protect the environment is beneficial for future generations.

History of Children and Nature Awareness Month

As early as the late nineteenth century, environmental concerns were being raised, but they gained prominence in the early twentieth century due to the expansion of manufacturing and coal consumption. The fast-rising levels of air pollution in industrial regions were mostly caused by the enormous number of chemical discharges from numerous industries. However, even though the first environmental rules were created in Britain in 1863, they were unable to make much of an impact because of the rapid growth of businesses and factories.

Because humans have a direct impact on many of the planet’s resources, they are particularly vulnerable. With the rise of international accords to protect and manage natural resources, several countries have taken steps toward preventing or mitigating the effects of human activities on these resources. Toward this end, in 1972, the United Nations held a meeting in Stockholm, Sweden, to develop the concept of the right to a healthy environment. Later that year, the United Nations Environmental Program was established.

Sadly as all these actions were being taken to save our environment, the younger generation was still in the picture in terms of grasping the need for a better environment. In 2005, Richard Louv published the book “Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.” Louv advanced the thought that children’s activities had become more and more indoor based and they were now disconnected from nature. He launched a campaign to bring back an understanding of the importance of nature among children and it is out of this call to action that the Children & Nature Network was born.

Children and Nature Awareness Month timeline

1945
The Global Environmental Unions are Born

New international agencies are created as part of a global effort to address environmental issues.

1972
The Environmental Conference

The United Nations holds a global conference in Stockholm to discuss methods of protecting the environment.

1997
The Kyoto Protocol

An international agreement is created to curb the rise of greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the effects of global warming.

2005
The Begining of Including Children

Author Richard Louv’s book “Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder” highlights the disconnect children have with the natural world.

2015
The Paris Agreement

An international treaty is signed by over 100 countries to mitigate the causes and effects of extreme climate changes.

Children and Nature Awareness Month FAQs

What is the significance of nature in early childhood

Children who play and spend time outside in nature show improved attention spans, memory, and other cognitive abilities.

What is the effect of nature on a child's growth?

The positive impact of nature exposure on children includes — better motor coordination, reduced stress levels, and increased social contact with adults and other children.

How do you raise children's consciousness about nature?

Let your words and deeds demonstrate your own mindfulness of nature.

Children and Nature Awareness Month Activities

  1. Go outside

    This month is a terrific time to be outside connecting with nature. It could be a picnic in the park, a stroll in the woods, or lazing at the beach, the choice is yours.

  2. Take your children for a walk

    A family hike is always enjoyable. Learn about plants and animals by hiking or going for a walk in the woods with your kids.

  3. Attend local festivals celebrating children and nature

    Participating in environmental initiatives is an excellent way to educate children about the importance of environmental preservation. This month, a variety of groups hold various events so be sure you attend.

5 Intriguing Facts About Nature

  1. Cows kill more people than sharks

    The annual death toll from shark attacks is five, whereas the annual death toll from cow attacks is 22.

  2. Pluto hasn’t completed one orbit

    Pluto was discovered on February 18, 1930, and hasn't completed a full circuit of the sun since because of its extremely slow orbit.

  3. Four species of humans once existed

    Researchers from Germany have discovered evidence of four separate human species coexisting in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Chad three million years ago.

  4. The trees on Earth outnumber the stars

    The number of stars in our galaxy is estimated to be between 200 and 400 billion, while there are an estimated 1 trillion trees on the planet.

  5. Pineapples take two years to grow

    If you plant a pineapple from a sucker, it will take around 18 months to produce a bloom, but if you plant the top of the pineapple, it will take two and a half years.

Why We Love Children and Nature Awareness Month

  1. Children get to explore their natural curiosity

    Children are constantly exploring their surroundings and soaking up information. They can really learn a lot about the world around them by spending time outside.

  2. Children always have a fresh perspective

    Children see the world in a way that is often new and exciting. Seeing the world through a child’s eyes can help adults appreciate the natural world once more.

  3. The sheer beauty of nature captivates children

    Children are filled with enthusiasm and energy, and they approach life with curiosity and excitement. It is inspiring to see children excited about the world around them.

Children and Nature Awareness Month dates

YearDateDay
2024April 1Monday
2025April 1Tuesday
2026April 1Wednesday
2027April 1Thursday
2028April 1Saturday
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Blue Ribbon Week
Golden Rule Week
International Pooper Scooper Week
Laugh at Work Week
Medication Safety Week
National Bake Week
National Cancer Registrars Week
National Public Health Week
National Window Safety Week
Take Your Poet to School Week
Testicular Cancer Awareness Week
April Fools' Day
Assyrian New Year
Boomer Bonus Days
Community Garden Week
Cyprus National Holiday
Dyngus Day
Easter Monday
Edible Book Day
Fossil Fools Day
International Fun at Work Day
International Tatting Day
Library Snap Shot Day
Lupus Alert Day
Martyrdom of Imam Ali
Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month
Myles Day
National Connor Day
National Fun Day
National Greeting Card Day
National Loyal Day
National One Cent Day
National Sourdough Bread Day
National Trombone Players Day
Nature Day
Nickelodeon Anniversary Celebration Day
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Reading is Funny Day
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U.S. Air Force Academy Day
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Autism Acceptance Month
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Month
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Canine Fitness Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
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Child Abuse Awareness Month
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Counseling Awareness Month
Couple Appreciation Month
Cranberries and Gooseberries Month
Deaf History Month
Defeat Diabetes Month
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Dog Appreciation Month
Earth Month
Emotional Overeating Awareness Month
Fair Housing Month
Filipino Food Month
Financial Capability Month
Financial Literacy Month
Fresh Florida Tomato Month
Genocide Awareness Month
Global Astronomy Month
Global Child Nutrition Month
Grange Month
Heartworm Awareness Month
IBS Month
Informed Women Month
International Amateur Radio Month
International Customer Loyalty Month
International Guitar Month
Jazz Appreciation Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
Month of the Military Child
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National Car Care Month
National Card and Letter Writing Month
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National Donate Life Month
National Facial Protection Month
National Food Month
National Foot Health Awareness Month
National Fresh Celery Month
National Frog Month
National Garlic Month
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National Kite Month
National Knuckles Down Month
National Literature Month
National Minority Health Month
National Month of Hope
National Pecan Month
National Pest Management Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
National Poetry Month
National Rebuilding Month
National Safe Digging Month
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
National Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Education and Awareness Month
National Sjogren's Syndrome Awareness Month
National Social Security Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soy Foods Month
National Volunteer Month
National Welding Month
National Woodworking Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
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Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parliamentary Law Month
Pharmacists War on Diabetes Month
Physical Wellness Month
Poetic Earth Month
Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Primary Immunodeficiency Month
Records and Information Management Month
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Rosacea Awareness Month
Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
School Library Month
Scottish-American Heritage Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month
Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month
STI Awareness Month
Straw Hat Month
Stress Awareness Month
Summer Tire Changeover Month
SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month
Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
Workplace Conflict Awareness Month
World Autism Month
World Landscape Architecture Month
Worldwide Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month

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